Littlehampton family appeal to catch killer

Michael Baker, 47, died on Saturday, July 24, last year, when the recovery truck he was a passenger in collided with a stationary heavy goods vehicle, on the A20 near Swanley, Kent.

An investigation into whether or not yobs, who threw tennis ball-sized stones at the HGV’s windscreen, smashing it, were responsible for the horrific crash has so far been inconclusive.

Now Michael’s partner, Sheila Bright, 43, has made a fresh appeal to catch the people responsible for his death.

Sheila, of Albert Road, Littlehampton, said: “The aim was really to try and jog people’s memories of what happened.

“We’re still devastated by Michael’s loss and the pain is all still so raw for all of us.

“This was the anniversary of his death. The past year has been so so hard. Some of the family were still too traumatised to visit the scene.

“He was a real family man and loved every one of his children. It’s just been so difficult without him.”

Accompanied by her daughter, Paige, grand-daughter, Alexia, and two friends, Sheila placed flowers near the crash scene. The family also tied model butterflies to nearby trees.

Kent Police also marked the anniversary of Michael’s death to insist the case was still very much active.

Detective Inspector Ian Rogerson said: “We were not able to charge anyone in connection with the incident at the time. However, we never closed the case as we have a duty to Michael’s partner, Sheila Bright, his family and friends to find out how and why he died.”

However, Sheila feels that the police could have done more to find those responsible for Michael’s death.

She now hopes to begin her own campaign, going into schools to teach children the importance of road safety. “I want to stop this before more families like ours are hurt in this way,” she said.

“Children need to be more aware of the dangers of playing by the road and the potentially devastating consequences it can have.”