Double death stuns Valley
ACOMMUNITY has been left in shock after two men died in a horror crash on Mother’s Day. Matthew Horridge, 30, and his cousin Jordan Matthew, 22, died when the Ford Focus they were travelling in overturned after hitting a parked car on Todmorden Road in Bacup.
Both were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital following the crash at around 1.30am on Sunday, March 11, where they died a short time later. Neighbours and community members have spoken of their shock at the ‘tragic’ deaths following the incident, which happened between the junctions with Carlton Street and Christ Church Street.
The families of the two men have paid tribute to them, while self-employed seamstress Barbara Trzeciak, 62, whose parked car they collided with, said the incident had come as ‘a massive shock’. ●● Jordan Matthew (left) and cousin Matthew Horridge
JON MACPHERSON
ACOMMUNITY is in shock after two men were killed in a horror crash on Mother’s Day.
Matthew Horridge, 30, was killed alongside his cousin Jordan Matthew, 22, when the Ford Focus they were travelling overturned after hitting a parked car on Todmorden Road in Bacup.
Both men were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital following the crash at around 1.30am on Sunday, March 11 but died a short time later.
Neighbours and community members have spoken of their shock at the ‘tragic’ deaths following the incident, which happened between the junctions with Carlton Street and Christ Church Street.
Self-employed seamstress Barbara Trzeciak, 62, who lives on Todmorden Road and whose Vauxhall Astra was struck by the Focus, said the incident was ‘very sad’ and had come as ‘a massive shock’.
She said: “We heard ●● One of the many floral tributes to cousins Matthew Horridge, 30, and Jordan Matthew, 22, who were both killed after a car collision on Todmorden Road in Bacup (right) this massive bang about 1.30am. I was in bed but my husband was up watching TV.
“We’ve never heard anything like it. We knew it was something very serious. It also woke up some of the neighbours.
“It looks like the car has hit the front of our car and then spun into the wall.
“The police have told us that our car is written off. I don’t know who called the police but they were here very quickly.
“I came out of my house and got to the top step but the police said don’t come any further because it’s a crime scene.
“They were here for a few hours. I tried to go back to sleep but there were a lot of flashing lights.
“It’s come as a massive shock. We’ve only been living here four months.
“There has been a few incidents on this road before, but nothing like this. It’s very sad.”
Denise Darwen, who lives on Todmorden Road very close to the collision, said it was ‘such a tragic waste of young lives’.
She said: “It was horrendous and shocking what happened. It’s just a tragedy.
“I heard such an almighty bang. I picked up the phone to call the police and they were here in no time. They were there most of the night and about 6am a recovery vehicle came to pick up Barbara’s car.
“There have been a lot of people coming and going during the day to pay their respects. We are so sorry around here for what’s happened.
“In the 36 years we have lived here we’ve never known anything on this scale.
“I think it’s time they put speed cameras or speeding signs on the road. I’ve a very fast road and something needs to be done.”
Bacup councillor Jimmy Eaton said: “My condolences go out to their families. We don’t get many fatalities in the Bacup area. We don’t know what caused it but it’s very sad.”
Lancashire Police have launched an appeal for witnesses.
Sgt Finn Quainton, of the force’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Firstly my thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of these two men at this incredibly sad and difficult time.
“We need anyone who may have seen the Ford Focus car leading up to the collision to get in contact with us as they may have vital information that could assist with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Lancashire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 142 of March 11.