Grieving Shropshire father calls for witnesses to crash tragedy

Shane Vickers, 22, and Philip Madden, 19, died after the Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Mr Madden hit a tree on the A495 at Bronington, near Ellesmere, before bursting into flames on October 30.

Mr Vickers' father Norman, who lives in Oswestry, said he had been kept informed of the progress of the police investigation, but is now worried things have gone quiet.

He appealed for anybody who witnessed the crash but has not yet come forward to do so.

He said: "We'd just like to know what happened. Just knowing in your own mind would make it easier.

"There was particularly another car which hasn't been found yet. We'd like the driver or passengers to come forward just so we can know more about what happened.

"It happened on a Thursday night. If anyone remembers anything, please come forward."

Mr Vickers, a self-employed carpenter from Bettisfield, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash while Mr Madden, an apprentice electrician, of Brooklea in Northwood, near Wem, was taken to the Maelor Hospital in Wrexham but died shortly afterwards.

The pair were driving to Penley when the crash happened just before 11pm.

Sergeant Alun Davies, from North Wales Police, said: "As a result of our investigations we are keen to speak to the driver and any passengers in a car we believe may have been travelling a short distance behind the Corsa and which would have continued in the direction of Welshampton and Ellesmere in the moments after the collision."

Following the crash, Mr Vickers paid tribute to his son, saying he loved his engines and working with cars and bikes.

"He was a hard worker, and he was a petrol head," he said. "He got on with everyone. He'd walk into a room a stranger and walk out a friend. Never seemed to fall out with anyone. He was a perfect son. We never argued, never fell out."

Anyone with information should contact the Roads Policing Unit on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 quoting reference R171477.