AN ex-traffic cop says the death of a 26-year-old man on a stretch of road will not be the last unless something is done.

Mark Anthony McNulty died after his  Transit van collided with an HGV at 10.10am on the A5092 at Gawthwaite, on Friday.

Mr McNulty, of Fir Trees Road, Lostock Hall, Preston, was taken to Furness General Hospital by air ambulance where he later died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the HGV, a 36-year-old man from Merseyside, suffered minor injuries.

Mr McNulty’s family are being supported by specially trained officers and inquiries into the circumstances of the collision are continuing.


Ian Winstanley with his wife Jacqui Last month ex-policeman Ian Winstanley, 65, and his 64-year-old wife Jacqui, had a  lucky escape after they were involved in a head-on collision on their way home to Kirkby on the same bend. The couple had to be cut out of their vehicle and Mrs Winstanley’s head went through the windscreen.

Speaking after the smash, Mr Winstanley said he has long feared the “nasty” bend would one day see a fatal accident and considered himself fortunate to have escaped relatively unscathed.

After being taken to Furness General Hospital, the couple were scanned, checked and discharged just before midnight the same day.

Mrs Winstanley said hearing about Friday’s fatal smash had really upset her. She said: “It’s more or less in the same place we crashed. I had tears in my eyes when I heard. The poor guy.”

Mr Winstanley said he was posting a letter to the Highways Agency on Saturday, demanding something be done about the stretch of road when he was told about the death.

He said: “This was always going to happen at that junction. This accident was a bit different from ours but the camber is totally wrong.

“I’m an ex-traffic officer and I know that bend. If you are travelling eastbound away from Broughton you get to the top of the hill and take the left-hand bend. The actual camber throws you into oncoming traffic.

“There is no way a wagon can even go around that bend at 40mph safely. I drive that road about three times a week but someone who doesn’t would be totally unaware.

“Someone needs to come along and look at that junction. It is in need of traffic management and needs more signage. There aren’t even any signs about speed restrictions. If not there will be other fatalities.

“My sympathies go out to the family of the deceased and also to the driver of the wagon.”

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact 101.