Four men died from multiple injuries when their car crashed into a lamppost in Huyton, Merseyside, an inquest has heard. The victims, identified as Jack Diggle, 23, Benjamin Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, were occupants of a black Cupra Formentor that veered off the road.
The collision occurred at 1:54 a.m. on the eastbound carriageway. Emergency services pronounced the four men dead at the scene. A fifth passenger, aged 27, was taken to the hospital. The men were identified by dental records and clothing seen on CCTV footage from earlier in the evening.
Senior coroner for Sefton, Anita Bhardwaj, opened the inquests at Bootle Town Hall. The cause of death for all four men was stated as multiple injuries. Mr. Dooley, of Stockbridge Village, was a student, and Mr. Shackleton-Brady, from Dovecot, was a warehouse operative. Mr. Diggle, of West Derby, and Mr. Roberts, of Dovecot, were both unemployed.
James Diggle, 27, also of West Derby, has been charged with four counts of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. He is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court next month. The inquests were suspended pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
Families of the deceased men released tributes following the crash. Mr. Diggle's mother described him as 'kind, quiet, thoughtful, and loving,' and a proud Everton supporter who enjoyed playing football and darts. Mr. Dooley's mother stated her life had been 'ripped apart,' calling him the kindest person she knew with a 'heart of gold.' His sister described him as an adviser and protector. Mr. Roberts' mother referred to him as her 'beautiful blue-eyed boy' and her 'sweetheart boy.' The family of Mr. Shackleton-Brady described him as a 'truly well-mannered family man,' a devoted father whose love and loyalty touched many.
An eyewitness described waking up to 'carnage' the morning after the crash, noting the car had 'split in two' and parts were scattered across the road. Images from the scene show debris and multiple forensic tents within a large police cordon.