News
Tragedy as mechanic steps in front of lorry on motorway after pulling up on hard shoulder
A police investigation found the HGV driver had not had time to take any evasive action
A mechanic from Salford died tragically after stepping in front of a lorry in a ‘deliberate’ act on the M61, an inquest has heard.
Scott Hall, 31, of Little Hulton had parked his Vauxhall Astra on the hard shoulder of the busy motorway close to Chorley, Lancashire, before the heartbreaking incident on October 14th 2022. An inquest into his death heard witnesses say they saw him exit his vehicle on the driver’s side before he was struck.
Preston Coroner’s Court heard that lorry driver Paul Grey had been driving at 56mph. A police investigation found that Mr Grey had not had time to take any evasive action. The HGV he was driving was travelling within the speed limit and checks confirmed he hadn’t been using his phone at the time of the collision, Lancashire Live reports.
Mr Grey told police: “I saw the white vehicle parked up about 400 yards away and didn’t consider it unusual at first. When I was about 200 yards away the driver’s door opened slightly and my initial reaction was ‘don’t be so stupid’.
“I had already looked in my mirror to see if I could move if he stepped out but there was a car and moving out wasn’t an option. The door closed again and I thought ‘ah well that’s ok, he’s safe’.
“But as I approached, the door opened wide and the gentleman stepped out of his car in what I can only describe as a lunge and he dived towards my vehicle. I didn’t have time to brake and the next thing I heard a loud thud.”
Gail Oldfield was driving along at the same time and saw Scott get out of his vehicle. She said in a statement: “He was leaning out and looking directly at me.
“His posture changed and I knew at that moment what he was doing. I put my foot down and speeded up to get past him and out of the way. It was clear to me he was going to kill himself.
“In my rear view mirror I could see a lorry and the man got hit. He seemed to just disappear.”
Francine Bevington was another eye-witness who saw Scott emerge from his van. She said: “All of a sudden he dashed across and I screamed. It all happened so quickly.”
An inquest held on Thursday March 2nd heard that the cause of Scott’s death was given as a head injury, pneumothorax and spinal fracture. He had also suffered multiple fractures to his spine, pelvis, head, chest and limbs. Toxicology tests revealed that although Scott had alcohol in his system, it was below the drink drive limit and there was also evidence of recent cocaine use.
Returning a conclusion of suicide, Area Coroner Chris Long, who viewed the incident on dashcam footage, said: “Scott Hall died on October 14th 2022, on the M61 near Chorley. Mr Hall stepped directly in front of a lorry.
“He was seen to look at traffic and walk deliberately into the road. In these circumstances I am satisfied that Mr Hall took steps to deliberately end his life and intended to end his life.”
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, there are people out there you can talk to.
For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123. You can also email the Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA or visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.
You can also contact the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) at 0800 58 58 58 or via their website here.
Alternatively, you can find more mental health services around Greater Manchester on the NHS Foundation Trust website.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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