Whitehaven News

Fifth victim of A595 smash dies

Last updated 13:02, Thursday, 17 April 2008

A FIFTH person has died – the fourth from the same west Cumbrian family – following a horrific road smash near Cockermouth.

The crash scene at Moota

It was confirmed today that 21-year-old Claire Edwards had died in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where she had been receiving treatment since the accident.

She was travelling in a car with relatives when the tragedy happened on the A595 at Moota on Saturday night. Also killed were Agnes Graham and her daughter Kathryn, along with Agnes’s sister Mary Kennedy.

They were heading west from Carlisle in a red Ford Fiesta at about 8pm, returning home from a trip to Newcastle.

Their car was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra, travelling towards Carlisle. Its driver, 23-year-old Andrew Jonathan Pattinson, of Jericho Road, Whitehaven, was also killed.

A third car, a Chrysler Neon, also heading in the direction of Carlisle, was also caught up in the smash, catching fire after the Astra burst into flames.

But the two men in the Chrysler, both from west Cumbria, managed to get out in time. The suffered minor injuries.

The latest victim, Miss Edwards was a front-seat passenger in the Ford Fiesta. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, where she had been in a critical condition.

Miss Edwards was a cousin of the driver, Kathryn Graham, 22, of Penzance Street, Moor Row, near Whitehaven. Her mother Agnes, 52, who was better known by her middle name Patricia, lived at Trumpet Road, Cleator Moor.

Her sister Mary Kennedy, 53, lived at Crossing Close, Cleator Moor.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the crash. Anyone with information should contact Cumbria police on 0845 3300247. Inquests into the other deaths have already been opened and adjourned.

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