Police ‘sorry’ for Hoylake family's distress

Mar 12 2008 by Staff Reporter, Heswall News

THE family of a Wirral woman who died in a car crash in Lancashire are upset that Merseyside Police did not inform them of her death.

Beverly Anne Wright, 46, originally from Hoylake and living in Preston, died instantly when the taxi she was in collided with a Vauxhall Astra in Barton at 11.25pm on Friday, February 15.

Her brother Barry Banks, 52, and elderly mother in Hoylake were shocked to hear of the tragedy from a stranger the next day and to then read it in the news.

When Beverly’s friend in Preston, Lesley Hull, 43, called the family at 4.30pm to offer her condolences, she was shocked to discover they had not yet been told. It was Lesley’s husband who broke the sad news.

Beverly’s brother said: “We are devastated. There is never an ideal way to hear of a loved one’s death but the way we did was surreal.

“I felt sorry for Lesley. She had no idea we didn’t know and really struggled to tell us. We then saw it on Ceefax.”

Lancashire Police say that protocols were followed when Beverly’s identify as a fatality was released to the press at noon after next-of-kin had been informed.

But her husband – from who she had been separated from for three years – was no longer in touch with the family.

Lancashire Police say a fax was then sent to Merseyside Police, requesting they inform the family at around 8am.

Barry said: “I rang Merseyside Police after Lesley called but hours passed and no-one got back to me. It was 9.30pm when I rang Lancashire and finally received confirmation.”

Lancashire’s liaison officer arrived at the Banks with flowers last Wednesday to apologise.

Barry added: “I’m concerned that the right checks aren’t in place so this miscommunication doesn’t happen again.”

Beverly attended Hilbre High School and went on to work as a secretary at Wallasey Town Hall. She lived in Preston for the past 25 years, where she worked at British Aerospace.

Barry added: “We were really close to Beverly and we miss her terribly. I’m heartbroken.

“She was a wonderful, outgoing person and well liked by everyone. When you got to know her, you could never forget her.”

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “The police service works very hard to put the victim's family first after tragic incidents like this.

“It is therefore regrettable that Miss Wright’s family had to find out about this incident second hand before we had an opportunity to send officers out to them.

“On behalf of Lancashire and Merseyside Police, we apologise for any distress caused.”

The driver of the Astra car, an 18-year-old Preston man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has now been released on bail until April 4.