Two-vehicle crash cyclist, 68, dies of injuries

A cyclist hurt in a crash in Merseyside has died of his of his injuries.

John Edward Carr, 68, swerved to avoid a Nissan Micra on Rowson Street in New Brighton on Friday morning then struck a stationary van waiting at traffic lights, police said.

In a tribute, the family of the former Merchant Navy cook from New Brighton said: "He would never fail to make us laugh or look out for us and he always loved us unconditionally. We still can't understand how he has been taken from us so suddenly, it doesn't feel real."

A 65-year-old woman from Wallasey was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

She was taken to a police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation.

The van driver remained at the scene and is assisting officers.

In their tribute, Carr's family described him as "one of the kindest, funniest, most open minded people you could meet".

"He had such a big heart and he never really lost that childlike sense of wonder.

"He could find joy in the simplest things, including staying up far too late playing golf games on his VR headset, or chuckling away at silly YouTube videos.

"He spent 27 years working as a cook in the Merchant Navy and had so many wild and hilarious stories from his life.

"We don't want him to just become another headline.

"He was a real person. He was loved and he mattered".

Det Sgt Kurt Timpson said: "For someone to lose their life on the road is tragic and my priority now is to get answers for his family.

"Although a woman was later traced and arrested, we are still keen to gather as much dashcam and other footage as possible."

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