Huyton crash victims died of multiple injuries, inquest hears

Huyton crash victims died of multiple injuries, inquest hears

Four young men who died when their car crashed into a lamppost in Huyton suffered multiple injuries, an inquest heard on Wednesday, August 12.

The victims were Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26; Andrew Roberts, 24; and 23-year-olds Jack Diggle and Benjamin Dooley. They were traveling in a black Seat Cupra Formentor when the single-vehicle collision occurred at 01:54 BST on July 24 on the eastbound carriageway of East Prescot Road.

The crash took place between Ashover Avenue and Dinas Lane, where East Prescot Road meets Liverpool Road. Senior coroners' officer Liam Moss told the hearing at Bootle Town Hall that four of the five people in the vehicle died in the incident.

Due to the nature of the collision, officials used dental records, body markings, and clothing identified from CCTV footage taken earlier in the night to identify the deceased. The court heard that Jack Diggle, Mr Shackleton-Brady, and Mr Dooley were identified by their mothers, while Mr Roberts was identified by his cousin.

Home Office post-mortems conducted on July 26 listed the cause of death for all four men as multiple injuries.

The court heard details regarding the victims' lives and backgrounds:

• Benjamin Dooley, of Greenvalley Road in Stockbridge Village, was a sports psychology student.
• Craig Shackleton-Brady, of Old Riding in Dovecot, worked as a warehouse operative.
• Jack Diggle, of Alundale Road in West Derby, was unemployed.
• Andrew Roberts, of Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot, was unemployed.

The surviving occupant of the car, 27-year-old James Diggle of Alundale Road in Liverpool, has been charged with four counts of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. Following his release from the hospital, he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on a Saturday earlier this month, where he did not enter a plea. He was remanded in custody.

Families of the victims shared tributes during the proceedings. Jack Diggle's mother described him as a proud Everton FC supporter with a passion for darts. Benjamin Dooley's mother called him the kindest person I knew with a heart of gold, while his sister, Demi, described him as caring and the person who always looked out for her.

Andrew Roberts' father stated his son was the best son anyone could ask for, and his brothers, Carl and Thomas, referred to him as Pip, describing him as the glue to our crazy family. Craig Shackleton-Brady's sister, Kelsey, described him as one of the kindest and gentlest people you could ever meet. His long-term partner, Ellie Jones, the mother of their children Phoebe and Archie, said he was her rock.

Anita Bhardwaj, Senior Coroner for Sefton, St Helens, and Knowsley, confirmed that the bodies of the four men had been released. Cremation certificates were issued for Mr Diggle, Mr Dooley, and Mr Roberts, while a burial certificate was issued for Mr Shackleton-Brady.

Although none of the families attended the opening of the inquests, Ms Bhardwaj stated they were aware of the proceedings. She formally opened the investigation into the deaths before suspending it to await the conclusion of the criminal case against James Diggle.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police requested that the public refrain from speculating about the circumstances of the case online to avoid prejudicing the judicial process.

James Diggle is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on September 7.