'We all miss her terribly': Parents whose daughter died in tragic crash make emotional appeal to drivers

Megan Byrne, 22, from Blackburn was travelling home in her car after staying with her boyfriend in Manchester when the tragic crash happened on Elton Road at Belthorn on February 20

last year.

Megan, who had just qualified as a primary school teacher, had been on her way to visit some friends for lunch, and then see her mum.

The weather was poor with high winds, sleet and rain.

When Megan approached a left-hand bend, she lost control of her car, crossed into the opposite lane, and collided with a large family car.

The impact of the crash was so severe that Megan died at the scene.

Police collision investigators confirmed Megan was driving within the speed limit and was wearing a seat belt at the time.

However, two of the tyres on Megan’s car were underinflated, a major contributory factor in the crash.

Megan’s parents say their 'fantastic' daughter 'would light up a room'.

They are now appealing to motorists to check their tyres regularly in a moving video message, which they hope will prevent other families going through a similar tragedy.

Megan’s mum, Joanne, said: “We wanted to share Megan’s story as we certainly don’t want anyone else to go through what we have.

"It has taught me a lesson to check my tyres as I never used to do it - it’s such a shame that Megan has had to pass away for me to realise that.”

John, Megan’s dad, said: “She had a fantastic spirit about her – Megan would light up a room.

"We all miss her terribly. My advice is, don’t rely on your car’s tech. Go to all four corners of your car, get down, put a pressure gauge on it, and check it.”

Lancashire Road Safety Partnership worked with Megan's parents and TyreSafe to produce the video tribute to Megan, which can be watched at tyresafe.orgStuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman, said: “Megan’s story truly is a tyre safety tragedy.

"Neither she nor the other driver involved were doing anything wrong or breaking any laws, but Megan’s car’s tyres were seriously underinflated, a major contributory factor in this truly

awful incident.

"Please, watch the video of her story and interview with John and Joanne, share it and take heed of its potentially life-saving message.”

Lancashire Road Safety Partnership reminds motorists to remember to ACT and check:

Air pressure: Use an accurate tyre pressure gauge to check tyres’ air pressure is at the recommended settings. Check the vehicles owner’s handbook or fuel filler cap.

Condition: Lumps or bulges in a tyre may indicate internal damage and increase the risk of a catastrophic failure. If these, or cuts and cracks, are found while checking a tyre, the tyre may

need replacing and professional advice should be sought.

Tread depth: Tread depth should be checked with an accurate gauge to ensure it is above the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm. If you don’t have an accurate tread depth gauge, a 20p can

be used as a guide to how close your tread is to the limit if you don’t have a tread depth gauge available.

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