Simon Coombes, 55, was hit by a car in Southport, Merseyside on Christmas Eve morning – his son Bailey-James West has described the moment his family learnt the tragic news
A heartbroken son whose dad died after being hit by a car has described the moment he found out what happened as he peeled spuds for Christmas dinner.
Simon Coombes was knocked down by a black Mini Cooper on a residential road in Southport during the early hours of December 24. The 55-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Flowers, cards and a packet of mince pies appeared at the roadside in memory of the father-of-four over Christmas.
Originally from Bury in Greater Manchester, Simon had been living in Southport for over 10 years, with his 32-year-old son Bailey-James West describing him as a “cheerful person” who “kept himself to himself”.
He told the Echo: “He was the biggest Manchester City fan. He clearly changed his life around for the better, which we are very proud of.
“We love him to the moon and back. He was a big Ozzy, Motley Crew and Guns and Roses fan. I definitely got my music taste from him.”
Recalling the moment he discovered what had happened, Bailey-James, from Leigh, explained: “I got a missed call off my auntie on Christmas Eve at around 3 or 4pm. At the time, I was on my own, so it was a good job I didn’t pick up as my mum, partner and sister were grabbing last bits and I was busy peeling spuds ready for Christmas dinner.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“Then I noticed a missed call off my auntie. My cousin and auntie also messaged my sister to get in contact, and I just had a gut feeling it was about my dad and kind of switched off. My sister rang, where it was confirmed. I was in shock, if anything. It didn’t feel real.
“I’m shocked and in disbelief, as you think it couldn’t happen to you or your family. You watch things like that on true crime documentaries, but when you’re actually at the scene with your family, something just hits different. Your brain asks, what, where, why, with every scenario racing round of what might have happened.
“From what we have been told, he changed for the better. People that knew him or loved him had kind words, and I’m blessed that that’s how people knew him.”
Merseyside Police attended the scene at around 5.30am on Tuesday, December 24, following reports of a man being struck by a black Mini Cooper.
Simon’s brother David recalled the moment he discovered his sibling had been struck by the vehicle, and said: “I was on the way home from Manchester with my wife. We had just been to see her daughter get engaged and we were on the tram when I got a phone call from my sister Kim, who said police had been trying to get in touch with her for hours.
“She said they thought Simon had been hit, then she rang back to say it was Simon and he had passed away. He’d been knocked down. I got both phone calls on the tram, and because there were so many people around us I couldn’t say anything.
“I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t show any emotion, because there were just so many people around. It’s the longest journey home I have ever had.
“He was a cheerful person, but he always kept himself to himself. When he lived over in Bury with us, he was always happy, hardworking, but he had a few accidents at work which meant he couldn’t work any longer. We would always meet at Costa Coffee in the town centre, where we would have a coffee and some cake. It was always nice.”
Speaking about the family’s visit to lay flowers at the scene on Sunday, David said: “It was very daunting, eerie, quiet, but cars fly up and down there. We took some flowers and cards. It was our Kim who put the mince pies there. She wanted to make sure he had something. People grieve differently.”
Simon had lived in different towns and cities throughout the country, including on the south coast, while working as a metal polisher.
Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or may have information to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, from Merseyside Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly lost his life following the collision this afternoon. His family have been informed and are being supported by our specially trained family liaison officers.
“A fatal collision is always heartbreaking for families and loved ones, but for it to happen on Christmas Eve is particularly tragic. We have launched an investigation into the man’s death, and it is now a priority for us to get answers on how the collision occurred and my team are working to establish the key facts.
“I know this happened early in the morning, but if anyone saw what happened or were driving through the area just before the incident occurred then please get in touch. You may have information or dashcam footage that would be useful to our investigation.”
