Motorist dies in ‘blackspot’ crash
WORRIED RESIDENTS HAVE SPENT MONTHS CAMPAIGNING AGAINST SPEEDING DRIVERS
RESIDENTS have been campaigning for more than a year against speeding drivers at an accident blackspot where a young man died in a hit-and-run tragedy yesterday.
Christopher Ramsdale, 28, suffered serious injuries after a brown Vauxhall Zafira he was in was involved in a smash with a blue Audi S3 in Droylsden. He died later in hospital.
Mr Ramsdale’s family was too upset to speak following his death.
The driver and a passenger in the Audi ran from the scene of the crash at 2.30am yesterday.
A 26-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The incident happened at a notorious junction – known as Five Ways – where five roads meet at a mini-roundabout.
Two sides of Greenside Lane, Manor Road, Chappell Road and Scott Road all converge.
Joseph Gerrish, 70, of nearby Somerset Road, said: “I must have phoned the police 101 number about 60 times last year to complain about speeding cars and motorbikes on Greenside Lane and Manor Road.
“I have a letter from the chief constable’s office dated July 12, 2016, in response to my complaints.
“It says my concerns will be passed to the divisional commander of Tameside and investigated.
“I have had one visit from the local bobby and nothing has happened. I collected about 100 signatures and also sent letters to Tameside council and my local MP, but heard nothing. Cars and bikes are doing 60 to 70mph up these roads. I feel disgusted that nothing has been done and now a young man has died.
“I feel very sorry for his family. I have been telling the police for months that cars are screeching around here and no one cares.”
A worker in a shop near the roundabout said: “It’s a really bad junction. We have a lot of accidents here or nearcollisions.
“They need to install traffic lights or raise the roundabout and put a monument on it, or something to make them slow down. At the moment some drivers just shoot right across it. It’s horrendous.
“It turns my stomach to think an innocent lad has died.”
There is a traffic camera attached to a lamp-post next to the island, but locals said it is no deterrent to speeding drivers.
Pc Neil Pennington, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “My sincere condolences to the family of Christopher, who sadly died in the collision. This is a tragedy and my heart goes out to them.
“Our investigation is in its early stages so we are appealing for the public’s help to piece together how this collision happened.
“I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision, and I’m particularly keen to hear from anyone who might have caught the incident or the lead up to it, on their dash-cam or CCTV.”
Anyone with any information is asked to all police on 0161 856 4741 or 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.