A SMILE AS BIG AS HIS HEART
Family pay tribute to County Hotel crash victim
THE family of a pedestrian who was killed in a collision following a police chase have said he had a “smile as big as his heart”.
Paul Collinson, 54, died in the early hours of Monday after being struck by a car on Walker Road.
Another pedestrian was badly injured when he was struck by the vehicle, which had allegedly been involved in a police chase short before the fatal collision.
A teenager, who remains in hospital, has been arrested in connection with the crash which happened outside the County Hotel.
The arrested teenager, and the two other occupants of the car, also suffered serious injuries and all four remain at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Following an overwhelming response from the public, Paul’s three children Donna, Jessica and Paul have today issued a statement on behalf of the whole family.
The family, from Walker, say they are touched by the kind words pouring in from across the community.
They said: “We just wanted to say how grateful we all are as a family for the amazing response we’ve seen from the community.
“It has been amazing to see how much our dad was truly loved by everyone. He had an infectious smile as big as his heart.
“Even though he’s gone we know that he will live on in people’s heart through their memories and the stories they will tell of him.
“Our hearts are broken and we love him more than he could ever know.
“We would be grateful if our privacy could be respected at this difficult time as we come to terms with Paul’s death.”
The 19-year-old man who has been arrested is believed to be the driver of the Volkswagen Passat which hit the two pedestrians standing outside the Walker Road pub and hotel.
The arrested teenager, and the two other occupants of the car, also suffered serious injuries and all four remain at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Officers have arrested a man in connection with a fatal collision outside a pub in Newcastle. A 19-year-old man, believed to be the driver of the VW Passat, was arrested following the incident.
“He remains in hospital ,where he is being treated for serious but nonlife-threatening injuries.
“Both pedestrians were taken to hospital but one of them, a 54-yearold man, sadly passed away. His family are being supported by specialist officers. The other pedestrian, a 58-year-old man, is still in hospital with injuries believed to be serious, but non-life-threatening. The other two occupants of the vehicle also remain in hospital, where they are being treated for serious injuries.”
Northumbria Police received a report that two abandoned vehicles with damaged windscreens were in the Walker area at around 10pm on Sunday.
Inquiries identified a vehicle – a Volkswagen Passat – that may have been involved and it was discovered at midnight being driven in the Walker area.
Following a short pursuit, officers
lost sight of the car but a short time later received a report the Passat had crashed into the two pedestrians outside the County Hotel.
Tributes have since been paid to popular Paul Collinson, who was named locally as the victim of the crash.
Lifelong friend Tony Bell said he was smoking a cigarette outside the pub’s entrance at the time. Mr Bell said: “He was a lovely lad, a really nice bloke.
“He used to enjoy a drink in the County most nights. Everyone knew Colli. It’s such a shame.”
A resident on nearby Burwood Road, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “He was a proper gentleman, he had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone”
Police have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), for an independent investigation.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call 101, quoting log 1213 23/09/18.