A grieving son shared his heartbreak over the sudden death of his father in a car accident while he was preparing Christmas dinner. Simon Coombes, a 55-year-old man from Southport, was fatally struck by a black Mini Cooper on December 24. The community paid tribute with flowers, cards, and mince pies at the accident site.
Originally from Bury, Simon had been a resident of Southport for more than a decade. His son, Bailey-James West, praised him as a cheerful and private individual who was a devoted fan of Manchester City and rock music bands like Ozzy, Motley Crue, and Guns N’ Roses.
Bailey-James recounted the moment he received the tragic news, revealing that a missed call from his auntie hinted at the devastating event. The family was in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the reality of the situation. Merseyside Police responded to the scene early on December 24 following the collision.
Simon’s brother, David, recalled the emotional turmoil of learning about the accident while on a tram with his wife. He described Simon as a jovial person who had faced work-related challenges in the past. The family visited the accident site to lay tributes and found solace in the support from the community.
Authorities have called for witnesses to come forward to aid in the investigation. Detective Sergeant Andy Roper expressed condolences to the family and emphasized the importance of gathering information to understand the circumstances of the collision.