A new crossing has been installed outside a school on a busy road in Blackpool after an unlicensed – uninsured motorcycle rider caused the death of a local man in November 2022.

On the 12th of November 2022 the BBC reported that:

A 67-year-old man who was hit by a motorcyclist possibly racing a BMW driver has died, police have said.

The victim was walking when he was struck in St Walburgas Road, Blackpool just before 18:00 GMT on Friday.

The 25-year-old motorcyclist, who suffered injured ribs and shoulders, was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Police say they want to “establish whether the motorcyclist and BMW car were racing before the collision”.

Lancashire Constabulary appealed for the car driver, who fled the scene, to contact them.

Sgt Martin Wilcock said: “These are very tragic and sad circumstances and our thoughts are with the man and his family at this time.

Following the incident, investigation and subsequent trial – Blackpool Police reported that:

A motorcyclist is today starting a prison sentence of seven years and four months for causing the death of a pedestrian in Blackpool.

Daniel Wray was riding a motorbike at excess speed when he collided with 67-year-old Thomas Humphreys on St Walburgas Road in November 2022.

Very sadly, Mr Humphreys died in hospital having suffered multiple injuries.

CCTV enquiries found that prior to the fatal collision, Wray had ridden through areas of Poulton and Blackpool on his Suzuki Bandit motorcycle far in excess of the speed limit.

Forensic Collision Investigation evidence was able to show that at the point he struck Mr Humphreys, Wray was riding at speeds of between 57mph and 66mph in the 30mph zone.

Wray, 26, had no licence or insurance for the Suzuki and was also wearing a crash helmet in the dark with a heavily tinted visor.

He was jailed at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured and causing death without a driving licence.

The New Crossing

In a post on Facebook this week Blackpool Council wrote:

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲

Works to install a new pedestrian crossing outside St Mary’s Catholic Academy on St Walburga’s Road are now complete.

The new toucan crossing features a bigger central island to create a safer route across the road for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The pavement has also been extended out on the west side of the road to help increase visibility for pedestrians and road users.

The works were carried out during the summer holidays so the crossing would be ready ahead of the new school year starting this week.

We’ll be improving more roads near you soon!

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