Service to remember road crash victims to be held at St George’s Hall on World Day of Remembrance

A service will take place at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall on Sunday to remember road crash victims.

On Merseyside over the last five years, 104 people have died following road crashes – with 15 deaths and 355 serious injuries in 2020.

Road deaths and injuries are sudden, violent and traumatic events, often with a lifelong and life-changing impact.

Sunday’s service will be one of several remembrance events held around the UK organised by national road crash victims charity RoadPeace.

When is the service?

The Liverpool event on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, 21 November, will be held in the Concert Room at St George’s Hall at 13:30.

During the service, which is for people of all faiths as well as those of no faith, tributes will be paid to loved ones who have died in road crashes.

After the service five doves will be released at the memorial to road crash victims in St. John’s Gardens.

The doves are released in memory of the five people who die daily on the roads of the UK.

An open invitation to all

Pauline Fielding MBE, Trustee of RoadPeace and Coordinator for RoadPeace North West, organised the Liverpool event and said: “ We invite all who have been bereaved or injured through road crashes, together with those who wish to support them, to join us for this special remembrance.

“In every death there are so many people affected and this service offers families and friends of those who have died or been injured the opportunity to come together and remember their loved ones.

“It is also a chance for us to give thanks to the emergency services and all who work to prevent future death and injury on our roads, for their support and to highlight this unacceptable death toll and reflect on what can be done to prevent further tragedies.”

Raising awareness of road safety

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside’s police and Crime Commissioner said: “RoadPeace’s annual service of remembrance is a poignant opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives through road traffic crashes and their loved ones.

“So many people are affected by each and every death and it is vital that as a community we show they are in our thoughts and that support is always available.

“This annual service also acts as a stark reminder that we must continue to do everything possible to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain and suffering.”

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen said: “Every road traffic collision has a massive impact not just on those involved but on the wider family and friends, as well as the emergency services and the NHS.

“This service is hugely important in raising awareness of the consequences of road collisions as well as recognizing the valuable work of RoadPeace North West in supporting bereaved families and campaigning for better road safety.”

Police commitment to road safety

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said: “Merseyside Police is committed to improving the safety of our roads and reducing the numbers of people killed and seriously injured each year. Serious and fatal collisions have devastating effects for all of those involved.

“We carry out enforcement on our roads on a daily basis and we hope that the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims raises awareness and encourages people to think about their actions and the devastating effect they can have on others.”

For more details go to the RoadPeace website.