Man killed in crash near the spot where he was orphaned

Dean Dewhurst and his two brothers were sitting in the back seat of their family car in 1997 when their parents were killed in a head-on collision on the A59 near Clitheroe.

Yesterday at 1.15am, 28-year-old Dean, from Ribchester, was killed near the very same road after his silver Volkswagen Golf collided with a lorry on Whalley Road, near Clitheroe.

Police say he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The pub worker from Longridge was in the back seat of his parents’ car with his two brothers, Paul and Liam, in 1997 and miraculously survived when their dark green Honda Concerto saloon collided with a Ford flat-back vehicle transporter on the A59 at Sawley Brow. His parents Julie and Phillip were killed in the incident, dying at the scene, while ambulance crews took Dean and his brothers, who were six and three at the time, to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with cuts and bruises.

But yesterday morning as he was travelling east along Whalley Road, Clitheroe in the direction of the A59, he was killed only a few miles away from the tragic scene of his parents’ death.

Tributes have poured in for the “party animal with a heart of gold”, who worked in the Derby Arms in Longridge.

Jessica Treacy posted on Facebook to say: “RIP Dean Dewhurst absolutely heart breaking, such a funny and loving person! Only the other week we were playing the pub quiz and wouldn’t leave until we won! You are an absolute star Dean! Lots of love pal.”

Ryan Taylor also paid tribute, saying: “Devastated mate, truly devastated. RIP fella, will never forget that smile and swagger!”

“I’m so sad Deano. Such a nice guy. My heart goes out to your family. You’ll be so sadly missed,” posted Sam Baker.

Neighbours say he and his brothers were brought up by their grandparents and other family in the village.

David Hurst of the Road Policing Unit said: “A man has sadly died as a result of this collision and an investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has any information that could assist to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 65 of September 26.