Latest news with #Beaumaris
BBC News
12-08-2025
- BBC News
Older driver check calls from family of couple killed in Beaumaris crash
The family of a couple killed after an elderly driver lost control of his vehicle while speeding have called for "stronger checks and safeguards" on older and Katherine Burch, both 65, died in Beaumaris, Anglesey, in August 2024, when a car driven by Humphrey John Pickering, 81, crashed into Pickering, who also died in the crash, "applied the accelerator rather than the brake", causing his speed to increase from 25mph to 55mph in the seconds before the crash. The calls come as the UK government considers banning motorists over 70 from driving if they fail compulsory eye tests. The family of Mr and Mrs Burch described their grief as "monumental", and said the circumstances around their death were "tragic and deeply painful"."They were struck and killed in a collision involving a high-powered automatic vehicle, driven at speed through a 20mph street," they said."It raises painful but important questions about the safety of both powerful and automatic vehicles in the hands of elderly drivers, and the urgent need for stronger checks and safeguards to prevent such tragedies in future."Mr Pickering's family thanked those who had worked to "provide an explanation of what happened on that fateful day"."These answers will help us move forward in our grief and are a small step towards our family accepting this tragic accident," they said."We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the Burch family, we are devastated for their loss, a loss that will always weigh heavily on us."They described Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, Conwy county, as a "much-loved husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, brother and uncle" and said he will be "terribly missed by us all".A UK government source told the BBC it was planning a road safety strategy that would impose "tougher penalties on those breaking the law, protecting road users and restoring order to our roads". A requirement being prepared by UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander could make eye tests for over-70s compulsory when they renew their driving licence every three April, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley sent a report to Alexander to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths, after he found enforcement of visual legal standards for drivers was UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to under consideration by the UK government are potential medical tests for conditions such as dementia, and stricter rules for Chadwick, Liberal Democrat MP for the rural constituency of Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said he agreed all drivers should be "able to use our roads safely", but said many of his constituents used cars because "of the withdrawal of bus routes"."They simply do not have another option," he said, calling for improved investment in public added another measure to help improve road safety would be increasing the number of speed cameras.
The Independent
07-08-2025
- The Independent
Motorist, 81, pressed accelerator in error and fatally hit retired couple, inquest told
An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen Burch and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his powerful Audi A8 automatic car. The former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision in the popular North Wales seaside town Beaumaris. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene in Alma Street, as his car went on to collide with the front of a house on the afternoon of August 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard that Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront near to the Bulkeley Hotel, to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. An eyewitness told the court the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the Audi initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90 degrees right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' One of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, Sarah Packwood, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family has raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had 'good' mental agility. She said Mr Pickering was a librarian in Oldham before he set up his own business in automated library services, which led to him working around the world. She said he had five holidays booked for 2024 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. 'I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
Telegraph
07-08-2025
- Telegraph
Motorist, 81, ‘pressed accelerator in error and hit retired couple'
An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple in a Welsh seaside town at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his Audi A8 automatic car. Mr and Mrs Burch, a former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene in the North Wales town of Beaumaris. Mr Pickering, a former librarian from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene on Alma Street when his car went on to collide with the front of a house on Aug 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard that Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. A witness told the court that the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the car initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, the forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90-degree right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' 'A sudden and unintended acceleration' Sarah Packwood, one of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family had raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Helen Baxter, Mr Pickering's daughter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had good mental agility. She said Mr Pickering had five holidays booked for last year, 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Kate Robertson, the senior coroner for north-west Wales, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal misapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. 'I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
The Independent
07-08-2025
- The Independent
Motorist, 81, pressed accelerator in error and hit retired couple, inquest told
An 81-year-old motorist pressed his accelerator pedal 'in error' and hit a retired couple at high speed, an inquest has heard. Stephen Burch and Katherine Burch, both 65, had no time to react as Humphrey Pickering failed to negotiate a sharp bend and lost control of his powerful Audi A8 automatic car. The former vicar and charity worker, from Alcester, Warwickshire, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision in the popular North Wales seaside town Beaumaris. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the scene in Alma Street, as his car went on to collide with the front of a house on the afternoon of August 28 last year. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard that Mr Pickering had earlier tried to pull slowly out of a tight parking space off the seafront near to the Bulkeley Hotel, to allow enough room for his wife, Margaret, to get into the vehicle's passenger side. An eyewitness told the court the grey Audi suddenly 'lurched forward' and the driver 'appeared to panic' before the car 'shot off down the road'. CCTV footage showed the Audi initially accelerate 'abruptly' into a group of four pedestrians, knocking down two people who escaped with minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, said Mr Pickering's car continued to accelerate on Alma Street and narrowly missed colliding with two vehicles. Mr Pickering then lost control of the Audi on a 90 degrees right bend. Pre-crash data recovered from the vehicle showed the accelerator pedal was repeatedly pressed and the brake pedal was not activated. The Audi reached a speed of 55mph, in a 20mph zone, in the seconds before the collision, the court heard. Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of 'pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error'. He said: 'He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle.' One of Mr and Mrs Burch's three children, Sarah Packwood, told the inquest her parents were both of 'deep Christian faith'. Her mother was a talented musician and baker who 'always put others first' and was 'passionate about serving her community', while her father 'actively shared his faith throughout his life' and was an 'avid sports fan'. She said her family has raised concerns about the age of Mr Pickering and his ability to drive a brand new powerful vehicle. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said the father-of-two was an 'active member of the community' who was 'out in the garden every day in all weathers' and had 'good' mental agility. She said Mr Pickering was a librarian in Oldham before he set up his own business in automated library services, which led to him working around the world. She said he had five holidays booked for 2024 'which was normal for him as he loved to travel'. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the 'most likely explanation' for the collision was the 'pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration'. She told both families: 'There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. 'I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.'
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Driver, 81, dies and kills pedestrian couple after accidentally pressing accelerator instead of brake pedal to take powerful Audi from 25mph to 55mph in just five seconds, inquest hears
A retired managing director killed himself and a married couple after accidentally pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal on his powerful new Audi, an inquest heard today. Eye-witnesses said Humphrey Pickering, 81, mistakenly 'floored' the Audi A8, which hit a group of pedestrians walking along the seafront in the town of Beaumaris, on the island of Anglesey, at 55mph – 35mph over the 20mph speed limit - last summer. Reverend Stephen Burch and his wife Katherine, both 65, who were visiting North Wales from their home, in Alcester, Warwickshire, died at the scene. Mr Pickering, who was not wearing a seat belt, also suffered fatal chest injuries. Police crash investigator Meilir Hywel told an inquest, in Caernarfon, that Mr Pickering had pressed the accelerator pedal of his automatic grey car three times, causing it to accelerate sharply from 25mph to 55mph in just five seconds before the fatal collision, close to the town's historic pier. CCTV footage showed no brake lights were activated as the car swerved erratically for 100 metres (330ft) along Alma Street in the resort, ploughing into four people, at 2.45pm on August 28 last year. 'Mr and Mrs Burch didn't have enough time to react and move to safety,' Mr Hywel said. 'For them the collision was probably unavoidable.' Two other pedestrians suffered minor injuries. The court heard that Mr Pickering had been trying to move his car from a parking space on Wall Street, near the Bulkeley Hotel, so his wife could get into the passenger side when the accident happened. 'The most likely explanation for the collision is a pedal misapplication,' Mr Hywel added. Holidaymaker Jamile Serrano, who witnessed the accident, said the Audi came out of the narrow road slowly at first, but suddenly picked up speed. He was knocked to the floor and then heard a loud bang. One woman said it was 'like a firework had gone off'. Another eye-witness, Francis O'Rourke, described the car as being 'floored' and swerving erratically. Mr Pickering avoided a parked car and a horse-drawn carriage but collided with Mr and Mrs Burch before crashing into a nearby property, causing structural damage. 'The scene was complete chaos,' Mr O'Rourke said in a statement. 'It was just so shocking.' Pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson said Rev Burch, who had recently retired, and his wife, a charity worker, died of multiple injuries. The couple had two sons and a daughter and were grandparents, the court heard. Kate Robertson, senior coroner for North West Wales, recorded all three deaths due to a road traffic collision. She said: 'The most likely explanation is the pedal misapplication which has led to the sudden, unintended acceleration. There's no evidence before me the incident was deliberate on the part of the driver.' The coroner told relatives who attended the hearing: 'This is one of the most traumatic cases I am sure I have come across in the circumstances before me. 'There's nothing I can say which will ease the pain and suffering you will all no doubt be feeling.' Mr Pickering, a former librarian, of Colwyn Bay, was described as being 'active' and was involved in his local Rotary Club. But in a statement, Mr and Mrs Burch's daughter, Sarah Packwood, said the family had concerns about his ability to handle and operate such a powerful car 'given the driver's age.' Her father was Vicar of St James, in Fletchamstead, Coventry, for 19 years before he retired at the end of 2023. He was also the chairman of the Great Alne Cricket Club, Ms Packwood said. Mrs Burch, described as a talented musician and baker, also worked with the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and worship ministry. Describing her mother as 'a woman of deep Christian faith,' Ms Packwood added: 'She was a 'loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She had a servant heart….and was passionate about serving her community.' Following the couple's deaths, a spokesman for the Diocese of Coventry said: 'It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Steve and Kathy Burch have been tragically killed while walking along Beaumaris Pier on the Isle of Anglesey. Steve was a popular member of our diocese and well known for his good humour and unwavering faith and many will also know Kathy well from her work with CPAS and worship ministry. As a couple they were still very active in retirement, running an alpha course leading to baptism and confirmations. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve and Kathy's family at this time especially their children, David, Jonathan and Sarah as they come to terms with this devastating, unexpected loss.' A tribute from the Great Alne Cricket Club read: 'Steve has been a GACC member for well over 20 years, holding various positions including Sunday captain, secretary, and most recently, chairman. A cherished member of the club, Steve racked up 1190 runs since records began. 'Best known for his unperishable forward defensive, he also took 15 wickets during his bowling days. His efforts in the field were unquestionable, and commitment to ensuring that the club succeeded in whatever format shall remain legendary. 'Both Steve and Kathy were vital members off the field, too. Steve would regularly score for the Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday teams; a role which is invaluable but often forgotten. Kathy was well known in Great Alne for her tremendous cricket teas, enjoyed by all who were able to tuck in.'
