‘My son-in-law’s road death cost me half of my family’

A grandfather has said the “ripple effect” of his son-in-law being killed crossing the road caused him to ultimately lose half of his family.

Dave Wyness, from Ellesmere Port, said Sean died after being hit by a car on New Year’s Eve 2022.

“He left the house just to go to the shops [and] crossing the road, he got knocked over, just 100 yards from his home,” he said.

The 76-year-old said his daughter Zoe could not cope with the loss and she developed a dependence on prescription medication which became an alcohol addition. As a result, she died of multiple organ failure in 2024.

Mr Wyness has been trying to raise awareness of how one fatal incident can lead to further heartbreak alongside Wirral-based charity Aftermath Support which helped him following his loss.

The charity’s victim support officer Nicci Coote said the aim of the charity was to help those impacted by the ripple effect of road traffic collisions, whether they be family members or witnesses.

“Nobody goes out to cause an accident,” she said.

“Nobody expects to be involved in an accident so when anybody is, it’s their whole life that can implode.”

When Zoe died, Mr Wyness was left to look after his grandsons, who are now 17 and 21.

“I think it’s been really tough for Dave,” Ms Coote said.

“He’s almost had to put his own grief on hold to focus on the boys, which is so, so sad.”

Mr Wyness said his daughter was “very bubbly” and the kind of person who “lit up a room when she walked in”.

He said her colleagues “would always look to see if Zoe was on shift that night because when Zoe came in they were going have a good night”.

“It’s been very, very difficult obviously,” he said.

“You’ve lost almost half your family within a year or two.

“Over time, the pain does diminish but it’s always there.”

Government statistics show that, on average, 1,700 people die on the UK’s roads every year, which equates to almost five fatalities a day.

“By the end of tonight, there could be five families around the UK that have lost a loved one that will get that knock on the door,” chief executive of Aftermath Support Karen Blair said.

“Just taking time, taking care, being a little bit more focused on what you’re doing – it can save a life.

“It might just save your life as a driver.”