Tributes paid to crash victims

Last updated 13:41, Thursday, 02 October 2008

TWO men - one from Frizington and one from Egremont - have died after their cars collided head-on on a country road.

Nathan Steele (left) and Ian Cass

The deceased are 26-year-old Ian Cass, from Newtown, Frizington, and Nathan Steele, 36, from Cringlethwaite Terrace, Egremont.

A third man, a 21-year-old passenger in one of the cars, suffered serious injuries and is in a stable condition in Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary.

The tragedy happened at about 5.20pm Wednesday on the road between Lillyhall Industrial Estate and Branthwaite village.

Grieving relatives today paid moving tributes to the men.

Mr Steele’s parents Eric and Ian said Nathan had been a wonderful son who was also their best friend.

They said: “Nathan was devoted to his family and there was nothing that was too much trouble when it came to his parents’ happiness. He was the sort of son anyone would be proud of.”

He was hard-working and dedicated in his professional life, and a fit and strong young man passionate about running and dedicated to the great outdoors.

They added: “His loss is too great to quantify and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Mr Cass’s father John said: “Ian was a lively character and a hard worker. He tried too hard sometimes but always stood by his mum.

“He was much loved and will be sadly missed by all his family.”

The road was closed for four hours as emergency crews worked at the scene and police accident investigators analysed the crash scene and the two cars involved.

A police spokesman said that witnesses who can help the police investigation should contact PC642 Bill Barker on 0845 3300247.