Tributes to postmen killed in crash

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Tributes have been paid to two dedicated postmen who died in a car crash.

Posties Charlie Cooper and Stephen O’Brien, both thought to be in their 50s, were killed when the car they were in left a country lane and landed on its roof near a train line, close to Ashby.

The crash happened in Willesley Lane, at about 6pm yesterday (Wednesday) , as the two men were travelling home after work. They had served the Ashby community for more than 10 years.

Emergency services were called to the scene and police cordoned off the road while fire and paramedics worked to establish the condition of the two inured men. However, they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Communication Workers Union representative Andy Connelly, who works for Royal Mail members, received a phone call from the Ashby delivery office this morning informing him about the crash.

“It was shocking to hear what happened,” he said.

“It must be incredibly hard for the families and my heart goes out to the them - I can’t begin to fathom the emotions they are going through.”

Mr Connelly paid tribute to the two men, saying they were hard working and well known in the areas in which they delivered mail.

“Charlie and Stephen were both dedicated professionals and were well known by most people in Ashby - both of them had always worked there,” he said.

“They will be sadly missed and my condolences go out to their loved ones.”

Family members gathered at the scene this afternoon to see the remains of the crash site for themselves.

They consoled each other as they followed the yellow lines on the Tarmac which marked out the route of the car just moments before
the vehicle crossed the carriageway and punched its way through a row of trees.

It continued down a steep embankment before coming to rest on its roof on the other side of the railway lines.

Small piles of debris were scattered across the tracks and were still visible to the grieving relatives.

Broken car parts, such as glass from the tail lights, stretched from one side of the railway lines to the opposite embankment.

A large group of family members hugged as they stared in disbelief at the site of the fatal crash.

“They were only eight minutes from home,” said one relative, who did not want to be named.

Bunches of flowers had been left at the scene, and well-wishers had left messages of condolence and sorrow.

“Steve, you will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family,” one read.

Another read: “To Charlie, a dear friend and work colleague. I can’t believe this has happened. Miss you buddy!

“Keep the blue flag flying high. All our love to you and your family.”

The two postmen, who were from Swadlincote, were travelling in a black Nissan 350Z coupe, which was severely damaged in the collision.

A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We got the initial 999 call that a car was in a ditch.

“When we arrived it turned out the car was upside-down on the railway with persons trapped.”

The Royal Mail referred the Mercury to the police, who said they were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Officers are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Constable Seamus Burns, the investigating officer, said: “The vehicle was travelling from Willesley towards Norris Hill at the time of the collision.

“We would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or saw the vehicle beforehand to please contact us.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[stokes11eg]

RIP.

[baldrick]

Very sad. RIP.

[feduppostie]

RIP

[Broxi51]

RIP

[UnhappyGremlin]

Feel for those left behind.
Tragic.
R.I.P.

[justdeno]

RIP.x