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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Gran's haunting final words to childhood sweetheart as she lay dying at roadside
Christine Jones begged for help following what turned out to be a fatal car crash. A tragic great-grandmother begged her childhood sweetheart to help her as she lay dying at the roadside. Christine Jones pleaded to her husband of nearly 50 years: "Please don't let me die". She had been a passenger in a car which was struck by another vehicle but had managed to contact him. Despite suffering extensive injuries, the 68-year-old was able to reach into her handbag for her mobile phone, allowing her to call her spouse. He then rushed to the scene and kissed and held hands with his wife as she made the haunting five-word plea. She passed away three days after the crash, which took place in Thornton Common Road in Thornton Hough, Wirral. Liverpool Echo reports it came after armed forces veteran Ian Ashworth's car veered into their path and caused a head-on smash. The dad, who "has no memory of how or why" the fatal collision occurred while he was driving home from the gym, has been spared an immediate prison sentence over the accident, which remains largely unexplained. Liverpool Crown Court heard this week that 81-year-old Bryn Jones was driving his Ford Fiesta along the two-lane carriageway in the direction of Thornton Hough at around 9pm on August 14 2023 with his stepdaughter, Mrs Jones as his front seat passenger. The two had been returning home from Arrowe Park Hospital. His long-term partner and her mother, Brenda Jones had been admitted as an inpatient. Eric Lamb, prosecuting, described how Ashworth, of New Heyes in Neston, was meanwhile travelling in the opposite direction in his Peugeot 3008 at the same time. The following collision was not caught on camera or witnessed by any other persons. Both motorists have "no recollection" of the event. But, due to markings left by the vehicles on the road surface, investigators concluded that the 62-year-old defendant's vehicle had "crossed the central divide into the oncoming carriageway," resulting in an impact to the front off-side of both cars. No defects were found on either the Ford or the Peugeot, with neither motorist being "impaired by alcohol or drugs" and no obstructions being noted in the highway. Mrs Jones, who grew up in Thornton Hough and lived in Neston for 50 years, was able to exit the vehicle following the crash. But the mum-of-five, nan-of-11 and great grandma-of-three died in hospital three days later due to "severe chest and abdominal injuries". In a statement that was read to the court on their behalf, her children detailed how they and other relatives arrived at the scene before the emergency services after being informed of the crash. They said: "We replay every moment in our heads like a slideshow. The constant images are a cruel reminder. We still expect to wake up and learn that this was all a dream. Just knowing how scared she would have been and the pain she would have felt consumes our minds every day. Mum was our laughter and our constant. She was the first person we called with good news or bad news." They also described their grandma as being left "heartbroken" when told of her daughter's death, with their statement adding: "To see her cry 'not my baby girl ' is something that still haunts us. She blamed herself and felt unnecessary guilt. The hardest thing has been watching our dad trying to be strong for us, knowing he's totally broken. "It feels like we've lost both parents. Although we know Mr Ashworth never set out that evening to intentionally hurt anyone, this has caused so much pain to so many people." Bryn Jones suffered fractures to his upper arm, collarbone and ribs during the crash and spent more than a fortnight in hospital. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He outlined in his own statement how Brenda Jones, his partner of 16 years, passed away only three months later in November due to the "shock and sadness" of her daughter's death. Mr Jones added: "Christine and I were less than a quarter of a mile from Brenda's family home when the accident occurred. "I will never forget the devastation of Brenda being told that her daughter had died of her injuries. Christine cared for Brenda effectively full-time. I was devastated. The injuries I sustained are nothing compared to the emotional loss I felt as a result of the accident and the loss of my family." Mr Lamb finally read a statement from Christine Jones' husband Alan Jones, who said of the evening in question: "I kept looking at the clock, wondering why it was taking so long and thinking something must be wrong. I heard the phone ring and was told the news of the incident. She was only one minute away from home. "I went straight over to her, kissed her and promised her she would be ok. Her last words to me were 'please don't let me die'. I remained with her, kissing her face and holding her hand. The following days were unbearable. Christine and I met on the school bus when she was 13. She's all I've ever known. We were due to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary two months after her passing. "She was so looking forward to celebrating our life with our wonderful family and friends. I had to put the money we had saved for the party towards her funeral. Mr Lamb finally read a statement from Christine Jones' husband Alan Jones, who said of the evening in question: "I kept looking at the clock, wondering why it was taking so long and thinking something must be wrong. "I heard the phone ring and was told the news of the incident. She was only one minute away from home. I went straight over to her, kissed her and promised her she would be ok. Her last words to me were 'please don't let me die'. I remained with her, kissing her face and holding her hand. The following days were unbearable. "Christine and I met on the school bus when she was 13. She's all I've ever known. We were due to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary two months after her passing. She was so looking forward to celebrating our life with our wonderful family and friends. I had to put the money we had saved for the party towards her funeral. "I sit alone in the home she made constantly missing her and unable to do the things we wanted to do together. I feel totally lost without her. I visit Christine's grave every day as I don't want her to be alone. She was so afraid that evening. She even managed to get her phone out of her bag to call me as she was so desperate for me to be with her. "How she managed to do that, I'll never know." Ashworth sustained a fractured vertebrae, several broken ribs and a ruptured spleen in the collision. Under interview, he later told detectives that his "last recollection was being at traffic lights" but "recalled a kerb sticking out" which "may have been a reason" for his car crossing into the path of the other vehicle. He however "expressed remorse and asked for his apologies to be passed on". Darren Finnegan, defending, told the court: "He has asked me to express his profound remorse and how sorry he is to member of the family who are present in court today. Mr Ashworth has worked all of his life. He had joined the Royal Navy in 1980. He served in the Falklands as an engineer and left in 2002. "He currently works as a machinist for a local factory. He has one son who is 21 years of age, who he regularly goes mountain hiking with. On the day in question, Mr Ashworth had been to the gym. He had some food before leaving the gym and was driving to his ex-partner's house to housesit for her whilst her and their son went to Scotland for a holiday. "Mr Ashworth has no memory of the collision itself. He recalls navigating a kerb through the village. He then remembers an exchange with the emergency crews extracting him from his vehicle. He has no memory of how or why the collision occurred. This must have been a split second, momentary lapse in concentration. "There is no evidence of Mr Ashworth being distracted by his phone or anything of that nature. Mr Ashworth has no previous convictions. He is a man of good character. There is a character reference from his ex-partner. She describes him as being a kind, generous, supportive person who has put the needs and wants of others before those of himself many times. "He has a good driving record. He is remorseful. He feels sorry for the Joneses and was devastated to hear what happened to Mrs Jones. It was an instant which was entirely out of character for Mr Ashworth." Mr Finnegan detailed how Ashworth, who used a stick when walking to the dock, had later suffered a broken neck after falling down the stairs. He added: "He has paid his own price for his actions. His injuries including a fractured vertebrae, a ruptured spleen which had to be removed and broken ribs. He spent 16 or 17 days in hospital after the collision. Mr Ashworth's brother, towards the end of last year, took his own life. His brother's death followed that of his mother's death a few years earlier, a lady who Mr Ashworth had cared for. "Only a few weeks ago, Mr Ashworth was the victim of a serious assault when his ankle and arm were broken. Both injuries required surgery." Ashworth admitted causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. He appeared in the dock wearing a black suit over a white shirt and a tie emblazoned with a military crest on Wednesday. He showed no reaction as he was handed a 12-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days. Members of Ms Jones' family were meanwhile seen embracing in the public gallery, with some having been in tears at times during the hearing. Ashworth was also banned from driving for two years and will be required to pass an extended retest before being allowed back on the roads. Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "I would like to state at the outset that this is a truly tragic case. A life has been lost and another gravely affected. No sentence I can pass today could ever reflect such loss for the victim and their families. "To them, I express my utmost sympathy. Naturally, questions arise. Why? How? The fact is that very little is known. You have no recollection of what happened. I accept that. Neither does Mr Bryn Jones. There is no evidence of a loss of control. There were no deficiencies with either vehicle. No one was impaired by alcohol or drugs. "There is no indication that excess speed was a factor, and yet there you were on the opposite side. What has resulted here is an incalculable loss in respect of many members of the family. The outstanding question is whether or not this must be served immediately or can it properly be suspended. "Factors in favour of suspending the sentence is that there are clearly reasonable prospects of rehabilitation. You do not present a danger to the public and there is strong personal mitigation. I do not consider, on balance, in all of the circumstances of this case, that immediate custody is demanded, and so the sentence will be suspended."
DW
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- DW
Cologne: Ford workers in Germany strike for first time – DW – 05/31/2025
The car manufacturer Ford is in crisis. More than 10,000 workers in Cologne officially went on strike this month for the first time in the plant's 100-year history. Recent changes mean thousands of jobs are at risk. Wednesday morning, May 14: Gate Four of the Ford plant in Cologne is sealed off with red-and-white barrier tape. On the turnstiles, a couple of sheets of paper announce "Strikebreakers enter through Gate 1." But hardly anyone does so. According to David Lüdtke, the IG-Metall union's employee representative at Ford, more than 10,000 of the 11,500 employees downed tools for those 24 hours. Thirty-year-old Ahmet Cözmez is a development engineer in Ford's production development department. "We're worried; we're tense and anxious," he told DW. His grandfather came to Germany in 1970 as a so-called "guest worker," traveling by train from Istanbul to Cologne, where he worked on the Ford assembly line. Cözmez' father was a production worker for the American car manufacturer; he was also a full-time member of the works council, and sat on the Ford supervisory board as an employee representative. "The Ford DNA is in us," says Cözmez. "Once Ford, always Ford" was the mantra of the older generation in his family: Start work at Ford, and you've a job for life. Now, though, the US company wants to cut 2,900 jobs at this factory in Cologne. Three generations of Ford workers in Cologne: Mustafa, Ahmet and Süleyman Cözmez Image: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa/picture alliance Solidarity with Ford workers The one-day strike was the first official strike in the Cologne plant's history. There was a wildcat strike by employees from the Turkish community in 1973, but it wasn't organized by an established union. The Ford workforce were not the only ones out on strike that day. Members of the IG Metall metalworkers' union came from all over Germany to support them, as did workers from the mining and chemicals industries. The strikers even received expressions of solidarity from abroad. Ahmet Cözmez told DW that while many people were ready to fight for their jobs, there was a great deal of uncertainty. Ford shows signs of weakness Industry experts fear that the future for Ford in Europe is looking bleak. "The situation is bad, and the outlook is even worse," said the director of the Bochum Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Ferdinand Dudenhöffer. In his view, Ford is too small a player in the passenger vehicle sector to be profitable in Europe. Ford's European business has been loss-making for some time now. For years the compact Ford Fiesta passenger car, manufactured in Cologne, was a big commercial success, but production was discontinued in 2023 to make way for electric models. Ford now manufactures two electric cars in Cologne. However, sales of these have also been much lower than expected, and the company's investment of around €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in the production of the new electric cars has so far not paid off. The Cologne plant now manufactures electric vehicles, like the Ford Explorer, but sales have fallen short of expectations Image: ROBERTO PFEIL/AFP/Getty Images "German car manufacturers were late in switching to electromobility," says Anita Wölfl, a specialist at the ifo Center for the Economics of Innovation and Digital Transformation. "It seems Ford is struggling with it even more." Economic situation affects the automotive industry Ford clearly isn't the only oneunder pressure. Other car manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, are also showing signs of weakness. The automotive sector has been particularly affected by the recent economic downturn. People still have to eat when money is tight — but they can do without buying a new car. Germany is currently in recession for the second year in a row. Wölfl told DW that the entire auto industry was noticing a degree of consumer reticence. Fear of international consequences The ripple effect of the Ford crisis in Cologne may also be felt abroad, and a weak German car industry could have consequences for many other sectors worldwide. "Added to this, there is the Trump effect. The US tariffs on cars and automobile parts are damaging the automobile industry," said Wölfl. "This industry is characterized by a complex, internationally integrated supply chain: "Even if a company is not directly affected, the tariffs could have indirect consequences." Fighting for security Despite the poor outlook for Ford, David Lüdtke from IG Metall says the union is still fighting for the future of the company, and to preserve jobs. Ford Cologne strike over job cuts To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Should they be unsuccessful, IG Metall wants to ensure that all employees receive fair compensation, as well as transfer measures, and a strong security net with insolvency protection. This recently became even more of a priority. Earlier this year, Ford USA announced a capital injection of billions of euros into its German business. But in doing so, it also terminated the so-called "letter of comfort" it issued in 2006, in which the US parent company guaranteed the financial obligations of its German subsidiary. IG Metall and the works council fear that the cancellation of the comfort letter means that, although back then they obtained a guarantee that there would be no layoffs before 2032, this assurance may now also be in jeopardy. Workers' union fights on In spite of all the uncertainties, the strike does seem to have had an effect. "Although we don't yet have a result, the negotiations have progressed since then, and have moved in our direction," says Lüdtke. Details have not yet been confirmed, but IG Metall Cologne said it had reached an agreement with the German management on the key points to be addressed in further talks. "Once they have coordinated with the corporate headquarters in the US, a decision will be taken on how we are to proceed: Whether we will continue to negotiate, or whether there will be further industrial action," said Lüdtke. This article has been translated from German.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
DUI suspect charged following deadly Rutherford County crash
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man is facing several charges after he reportedly ran a red light and collided with another vehicle Wednesday afternoon in Rutherford County. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a 2025 Volvo TT was traveling east on Murfreesboro Road, approaching the Fergus Road intersection, when it ran a red light and crashed into a 2012 Ford Fiesta. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → Officials said the Ford was traveling north through the intersection when it was hit. The Ford's driver—identified as 66-year-old Michael Silver—died from his injuries. Meanwhile, his 41-year-old passenger was hurt in the crash. Both were reportedly wearing their seatbelts. ⏩ THP said the 37-year-old man who was driving the Volvo—identified as 37-year-old Michael Alexander Gawlick of Illinois—also sustained injuries in the crash. However, Gawlick is facing charges for vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and DUI. No additional details have been released about Wednesday's deadly crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
In court from Newport, Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale and Abergavenny
Adam Vaughan, 23, of St Faiths Close, Llanfoist, Abergavenny has to pay £297.25 in fines and compensation after he pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol worth £107.25 from Waitrose on January 11 and electrical goods worth £30 from B&M on January 14. Gary Clayton, 39, of Curre Street, Cwm, Ebbw Vale was banned from driving for 20 months after pleading guilty to drink driving with 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath on the A472 in Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly on May 1. He must pay £253 in a fine, costs and a surcharge. Toby Paxton, 31, of Penry Close, Llantilio Pertholey, near Abergavenny must pay £420 in fines and compensation after pleading guilty to being the owner of an XL Bully dog which was dangerously out of control in Bowcott Avenue, failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal and being in possession/custody of a fighting dog on October 21 last year. A contingent destruction order for the dog was made. Darka Jovanovic, 36, of Monmouth Road, Lydart, Monmouth was banned from driving for 23 months after pleading guilty to drink driving with 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath on the B4293 on May 2. She must pay £1,699 in a fine, costs and a surcharge. Gheorghe Cristea, 28, of Malpas Road, Newport was banned from driving for 12 months for using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without insurance. He must pay £1,014 in a fine, costs and a surcharge. Nicholas Hopkins, 69, of Woodland Court, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran must pay £706 in a fine, costs and a surcharge for using a motor vehicle on the A4051 without insurance on May 27 last year. His driving record was endorsed with six penalty points. Michael Watts, 45, of Hillside Road, Crumlin, Caerphilly must pay £485 in a fine, costs and compensation after he admitted assaulting an emergency worker – a police constable – in Cwmbran on May 3. Lloyd Isaac, 36, of Prescoch Lane, Penyrheol, Pontypool must pay £197 in a fine, costs and a surcharge after pleading guilty to a public order offence in Llanthony on August 18 last year. Arron Edinburgh, 37, of Hanbury Close, Northville, Cwmbran must pay £365 in a fine, costs and a surcharge after pleading guilty to damaging a Ford Fiesta car on May 3.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Speeding driver was double the limit when he killed Glasgow student
Akbar Razaq was going at double the 30mph limit in his Audi A4 near Glasgow city centre on the night of February 2 2023. The 30-year-old hit another car before mounting the pavement and hitting a traffic light pole. Chinenye Okonkwo was waiting to cross the road but ended up being crushed between railings and the front of the Audi. The 33 year-old - studying Public Health at the city's Caledonian University - sadly never survived. Razaq was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier admitted to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Lord Mulholland jailed him for three years and four months. He was also banned from the road for a total of eight years and two months. (Image: Chinenye Okonkwo) Nigerian-born Chinenye had moved to the UK in 2022 to study in Glasgow. Members of her grieving family were once again able to watch and listen to the hearing today from their home country. Chinenya also had a part-time job at a nursing home in the city's East End. She was walking on way to start a shift there when tragedy struck. Moments before the collision, the student stopped to await a gap in the traffic to cross. Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC then explained: "Chinenye Okonkwo was standing on the pavement at the crossroads of Newton Street and St Vincent Street in Glasgow when she was struck by the speeding Audi A4 driven by Razaq. "The Audi had already been struck by a Ford Fiesta as it began to make a right turn into St Vincent Street from the left-hand lane at Newton Street." The court heard how Razaq had initially blasted his horn at the Fiesta driver to try and avoid a crash. But, the Audi was hit before going onto the pavement and smacking into the traffic light post. Chinenye was then struck by both the motor and pole causing her to be pinned between the railings and the car. Razaq got out to "remonstrate" with the other driver. It was only then that a passenger in his car spotted Chinenye under the Audi. Razaq, of the city's Kinning Park, moved the Audi and a 999 call was made. The court heard Chinenye received "extensive advanced life support" at the scene, but did not recover. Crash investigators concluded the collision was caused by "negligence on the part of both drivers". But, Mr Prentice added: "Despite different degrees of responsibility, it is also their opinion that the blame for the death is attributed to the driver of the Audi due to his dangerous manner of driving at excessive speed. "This resulted in him being unable to avoid a collision. "Had he driven within permitted speed limits, it is unlikely the collision would have occurred." The investigators added the Ford driver had not performed "final safety checks" before carrying out the turn. However, it was said she "could not reasonably expect" the Audi to have been approaching her "at such excessive speed". The indictment stated he was going at 60mph in the 30mph zone. The Fiesta driver had also initially been charged, but she no longer faces prosecution. John Scullion KC, defending, said: "He bitterly regrets his involvement in the death. "He is an individual who has also been greatly affected and will be left with this for the rest of his life." (Image: Chinenye Okonkwo) Lord Mulholland said Chinenye was a woman with a "great future" and that no sentence would compensate for the loss her family had suffered. The judge told Razaq: "It is a tragedy this happened and it did not need to happen. "If you have been driving at a safe speed, it would not have happened." He cut the jail-term from four and a half years due to the guilty plea. READ NEXT: 'Totally devastating': Man's heartbreak after sister killed by car in Glasgow READ NEXT: Driver going double speed limit killed student in horror Glasgow crash Her brother Henry previously spoke to the Glasgow Times. In a tribute, he said: "She was a very good person. She is very family oriented and very intelligent. She was the one who initiated the family WhatsApp group. She created it, she's the admin person. 'She's the only sister we have amongst a family of six children.'
