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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaron Curran

Son shared tragic fears about 'scary road' in final conversation with mum

A young man shared his fears about a 'scary road' in his final conversation with his mum before he was killed attempting to cross it.

Daniel Klepper, from Rainhill, died on November 7 2018, after being struck by a car on St Helens Linkway. The 22-year-old's mum, Helen Klepper, believes more should be done to keep people safe on the Linkway.

Daniel was walking his dog on the evening of November 7, after earlier telling Helen hat he felt uneasy crossing the Linkway- which operates a 60mph speed limit currently. Helen believes this should be reduced to 40mph

READ MORE: 'Brilliant' man, 30, dies after thinking he had 'heartburn'

Helen told the ECHO: "That day he had said to me that he really doesn't like crossing that road he said it's really scary, and that was the last conversation we ever had.

"I was actually working that evening, I was teaching in Skelmersdale, but my husband had come home, and the dog had made it back to the house and was sat waiting, looking really scared so we knew something was up. My husband and my other son went out looking for Daniel but they couldn't find him."

Daniel Klepper was killed after being hit by a car at the age of 22 (Helen Klepper)

Police had discovered Daniel, and upon returning from work Helen found her street filled with officers, after she entered her house she was told her son had been killed. Over three years on, Helen still feels a hole in her life left from the death of Daniel.

She said: "Dan was one of life's creators, he was so funny and quick witted, he always wanted to be a rapper, as I think lots of young people do, even though he was 22 I think he was still hoping someone would spot him.

"Family parties and things like that just aren't the same anymore, its such a massive loss. My dad died the April following Daniel's death and I think he just couldn't get over losing Daniel. One of his friends from school came over to us after his death and said to us 'one of the great things about Dan is you could always be yourself around him."

Helen believes that in order to protect others and prevent another tragic incident taking place, a pelican crossing must be fitted on the road, or a foot bridge for pedestrians, as well as the speed limit reduced to 40mph.

To support Helen's petition to reduce the speed limit on the Linkway to 40mph and to install adequate pelican crossings or a footbridge, click here.

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