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Barman dies in mystery road crash

Simon Thacker
17/ 3/2005

A YOUNG barman died when his car careered off the road and ploughed into a tree.

David Antony Szewczuk, 20, of Pendle Road, Great Harwood, had to be cut free from the wreckage of his Ford Fiesta by firefighters but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened around 3am on Tuesday in Hyndburn Road, Great Harwood, near the junction with Alan Ramsbottom Way.

David, who worked at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, was alone in his car and no other vehicle was involved.

PC Andy Spouse, police family liason officer, said: "His family are devastated by what has happened and are struggling to come to terms with it."

He leaves his dad Tony, mum Denise, brother Michael, 25, and sister Sarah, 11.

He also had a girlfriend Zoe Speight, 18, who met him at the Dunkenhalgh where she works as a catering assistant.

PC Spouse added: "We believe he had been working earlier in the day and an accident investigation is underway to find out what happened."

Brother Michael said in a statement: "David was an extremely funny intelligent individual and very kind-hearted. He was popular with everyone who came to know him and will be sorely missed."

Calum Colquhoun, general manager of the Dunkenhalgh, said: "David had been with us for just four months but he worked very hard while he was here.

"He picked bar work up very quickly and the news of his death has hit us really hard.

"He had many friends here and was a valued member of the team. Everyone is very upset.

"He was an incredibly enthusiastic young lad with a great personality and was well-liked by both customers and staff. He was very bubbly and an ideal person to have in the bar."

David was a keen Blackburn Rovers fan and also loved watching Italian football on TV.

He was a former pupil of St Hubert's RC Primary School, Great Harwood, and St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, and had previously worked as a barman at Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho.

The road was closed for two hours after the accident while debris was cleared and investigators collected evidence. Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.