Loved Ones, Lawyers And Police Issue Road Safety Warning After 26-Year-Old Sustained Fatal Head Injuries

The family of a rugby league player killed when he was knocked down have spoken of their devastating loss after the driver was sentenced.

Jordan Welsby, from St Helens, suffered fatal head injuries when he was hit by a Vauxhall Corsa on Prescot Road on Boxing Day 2020.

The Blackbrook Rugby Club player was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he died five days later surrounded by family. He was 26.

His loved ones are now speaking out on how Jordan’s death has left them with “a huge hole” in their lives.  It comes after the driver of the car was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 17 months at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 September.  He previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Expert Opinion

“Understandably, it’s been an incredibly difficult time for Jordan’s loved ones as they continue to struggle with losing him so suddenly and tragically.

“Through our work, we too often see families torn apart because of the careless actions of others on the roads.

“While nothing will ever make up for the devastating loss faced by Jordan’s family, we hope today’s sentencing will act as a stark reminder of the need for drivers and road users to stay safe at all times.

“We continue to support them at this distressing time.” Matthew Garson - Partner

The collision happened near to where Prescot Road splits off on to Borough Road.

Prior to his death, Jordan had played representative rugby for St Helens, Lancashire and Great Britain in the British Amateur Rugby League Association. 

He also enjoyed spending time with his family.

In a statement, Jordan’s family, said: “Losing Jordan has left a huge hole in our lives. He was kind, caring and an all round wonderful person. To this day it’s still a struggle to come to terms with him no longer being here.

“We’ll never forget the moment we were told what had happened. We’d enjoyed a lovely Christmas together and then he was gone. It was all so sudden and no words can describe the devastation we felt and continue to feel. Jordan had his whole life ahead of him but it was cruelly taken away from him.

“Jordan was one of those people who lit up a room. No sentence will ever make up for losing him. All we can hope for now is that by speaking out we can help prevent something similar happening to others. 

“Jordan’s life was cut short by the careless actions of a driver, and no family should ever have to go through that.

“The only small comfort we can take from all of this is that Jordan’s selfless actions and donating his organs has provided the gift of life to others.

Merseyside Police note the sentencing of Faisal Yasin today in connection with the death of Jordan Welsby. Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, lead investigating officer for Merseyside Police’s serious collision investigation unit, which has also supported Jordan’s family, added: “My thoughts and that of my team remain with Jordan’s family and his girlfriend, who we have supported throughout this case. Death on the roads is sudden, traumatic and causes so much pain and suffering for those left behind.

“Merseyside Police is committed to working in partnership with other agencies, charities and groups to prevent serious injury and loss of life on our roads. We support the international aim of ‘VISION ZERO’, an ethos where we want to see the end to injury and death on the roads in our communities. Each of us have a responsibility as we work towards this. The use of the roads should be treated with care and respect and we will continue to challenge, educate or prosecute offenders for the benefit of all road users”.

The driver, 25-year-old Faisal Yasin of Rochdale, was sentenced by His Honour Judge Flewitt, KC, to 10 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 17 months, with an extended retest when disqualification ends.

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