Inquests have opened into the deaths of four young men who died in a devastating collision in Huyton, with all four recorded as having died of multiple injuries.
Jack Diggle, 23, Ben Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, lost their lives when the black Cupra Formentor they were passengers in veered off East Prescot Road, at its junction with Liverpool Road, Huyton, and struck a lamppost during the early morning of July 24.
Collision details and identification
At Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday morning (August 12), the coroners' court was told: "At approximately 1.54am on Friday, July 24 a single vehicle collision occurred on the East Prescot Road between Ashover Avenue and Dinas Lane resulting in the deaths of four of the five occupants."
Liam Moss, senior coroners' officer, informed the court that Home Office post-mortems were conducted on July 26, with all causes of death recorded as "multiple injuries". The court was informed the four men were initially identified through their dental records, with additional identification coming via body markings and garments observed on CCTV footage from earlier that evening.
Family identifications and tributes
Mr Diggle, from Alundale Road in West Derby, Mr Shackleton-Brady, from Old Riding in Dovecot, and Mr Dooley, from Greenvalley Road in Stockbridge Village, were all identified by their mothers. Mr Roberts, from Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot, was identified by his cousin.
Jack Diggle's mother described her son, a devoted Everton FC fan with a keen interest in watching and playing darts, as being fortunate to have a "wonderful" circle of mates. She expressed that Jack's passing had "left a hole" in the lives and hearts of those who knew him that can "never be filled". His relatives stated: "We will carry him with us every day and miss him for the rest of our lives."
Mr Dooley's mother recalled the sports psychology student as the "kindest person I knew with a heart of gold", while his sister Demi reflected on him as "the one who always gave me advice and looked out for me, the most caring, kindest person in the world". She continued: "My heart is broken."
Mr Roberts' mother referred to her son as "my beautiful blue-eyed boy" and remarked "my life will never be the same with you not here". His father commented: "You were the world to me...and the best son anyone could ask for. I can't imagine life without you." His siblings, Carl and Thomas, spoke of "Pip" as the "glue to our crazy family".
Mr Shackleton-Brady's sister, Kelsey, portrayed her younger sibling, who worked as a warehouse operator, as "one of the kindest and gentlest people you could ever meet", while the Dovecot resident's long-term partner, Ellie Jones, who was also mother to their young children, Phoebe and Archie, shared: "He was my life, my rock. I don't know life without him."
Criminal proceedings and inquest suspension
Mr Moss confirmed that a suspect has been charged with four counts of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. The ECHO had previously disclosed that 27-year-old James Diggle, from Alundale Road, faced charges upon discharge from hospital. During a short hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday, he declined to enter a plea and was held on remand ahead of his next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on September 7.
Anita Bhardwaj, senior coroner for Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens, announced: "I will formally open the investigation and inquests touching on the deaths of the four gentlemen. I understand as mentioned that someone has been charged. I'm going to suspend the investigation and inquests so as to await the outcome of the criminal proceedings. I understand all families have been spoken to and are fully aware of the proceedings."
Ms Bhardwaj verified that the bodies of the four men had been released, with cremation certificates granted for Jack Diggle, Mr Dooley and Mr Roberts, while a burial certificate was provided for Mr Shackleton-Brady. No relatives were present at the 10-minute proceedings.
After James Diggle's charge was confirmed, a Merseyside Police spokesperson stated: "As criminal proceedings are now active, we would ask that the public refrain from commenting on, or speculating about, the circumstances of this case online, as this could unintentionally prejudice the judicial process. Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the four men who tragically lost their lives and we ask that their privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time."
