5 days ago
Former councillor is killed in horror crash on road he campaigned to be made safer - as lorry driver, 42, is arrested in connection with his death
A road safety campaigner has been killed in a crash on the very stretch of highway he called to be made safer.
John Michael Duggan, 81, died in hospital following a crash on the A19 near Riccall, North Yorkshire, at around 10.30am on Friday morning.
The driver of a white DAF skip lorry, a 42-year-old man from York, who collided with Mr Duggan's black Nissan Juke as the former councillor joined the A19 from York Road, has been arrested.
Mr Duggan was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance with serious injuries, but was tragically pronounced dead a short while later.
The A19, which runs from York in the north to Selby in the south, has national speed limit restrictions at the junction with York Road, where drivers join at a 'give way' junction.
Selby MP Keir Mather said Mr Duggan, a former Selby District Council and North Yorkshire County Council councillor, had campaigned for better road safety in Riccall.
In 2019, Mr Duggan campaigned for a roundabout on the A19 to help prevent crashes after a collision which saw two people taken to hospital.
An £850,000 road safety scheme to install the roundabout was scheduled to be built in 2007, but was subsequently axed with funds reallocated.
In 2019, Mr Duggan said: 'The road is a lot busier than it was then, and accidents show people are trying to get out there but can't.
'It's quite common between Selby and York, the morning rush hour is car after car in both directions and you have to wait sometimes more than five minutes before you can get space and get out, it's such a busy road.'
Speaking after Mr Duggan's death, Keir Mather MP said: 'This tragedy makes awfully clear the need for road safety improvements at both A19 junctions in Riccall.
'When I've canvassed or held drop-in events in Riccall this has always been what's come up.
'Anyone who uses either of the Riccall/A19 junctions knows that they feel unsafe, and that's what I've tried to impress on North Yorkshire Council previously that we need a new roundabout or at the very least a speed reduction.
'I will redouble my efforts to make North Yorkshire Council think again about the necessity of road safety improvements in Riccall.
'I've heard from so many people who agree and I've made contact with the parish council to discuss next steps - we'll only achieve this by working together.
'The most important thing in the next few days is that John's family are given the time to grieve and reflect on his memory, both as a family man and as a proud local campaigner for the village he called home.
'We owe it to his memory to see action taken, and people in Riccall can be certain of my full and unwavering support.
'Rest in peace John.'
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les, said: 'John was a hard-working and well-respected councillor and this is incredibly sad news.
'He proved himself to be a dedicated public servant during his time with the former North Yorkshire County Council and Selby District Council, giving up his time to try to improve his local community.
'On behalf of everyone at North Yorkshire Council, I would like to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, friends, former colleagues and all those affected by his death.'
North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transportation, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, said: 'While it would be inappropriate to speculate about the exact circumstances surrounding this particular collision with a formal investigation to take place, we are committed to ensuring our roads are as safe as possible for all users.
'We will continue to work closely with all our road safety partners to reduce the number of serious and fatal road collisions across North Yorkshire.'
