A father of two with a “heart of gold” is among four men who died when a car smashed into a lamppost in Huyton in the early hours of Friday. Craig Brady, 26, from Dovecot, was one of four men in their 20s pronounced dead at the scene after a black Seat Cupra came off Liverpool Road and hit the pole just before 2am.
Brady’s older sister, Kelsey Brady, 29, paid tribute to her “best mate”, describing him as “one of the kindest and gentlest people you could ever meet ... a big man about 6ft 2 but he was just like a teddy bear”. Kelsey said the family is in disbelief: “I rang him back and he told me Craig had died and I said, ‘Connor, shut up. What are you saying that for?’”
“Four men killed in Huyton crash; victim Craig Brady, 26, described as having 'biggest heart of gold'.”
Craig leaves behind his partner Ellie Jones, 28, and their two young children, Phoebe, five, and Archie, three. His girlfriend is “absolutely distraught”, Kelsey said. Merseyside Police confirmed the other three victims were two men aged 23 and a 24-year-old. A 27-year-old passenger was taken to hospital and remains in a stable condition.
Residents reported hearing a loud bang. One woman told the Liverpool Echo: “I was still awake, the bang was so loud I thought a lorry had overturned. I looked outside my window and there was smoke everywhere.”
Superintendent Paul Holden said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of the four men ... This is a truly devastating moment for their families and loved ones, and it is now our priority to get answers for them on how the collision occurred.”
Roads including Liverpool Road and East Prescot Road remain closed, expected to stay shut all weekend. A temporary flight restriction zone banning drones has been imposed over the area. Police are appealing for doorbell footage or anyone who saw the black Seat Cupra before the crash.
The loss, Kelsey said, still hasn’t sunk in: “I still don’t think it’s real now.”