Two men who died when their car came off a country road in Shropshire were postmen. Ralph Brown, 34, from Wem, and Paul Murray, 21, from Hanmer, worked in the Whitchurch area.They died after the car they were in crashed into a tree at 5.30pm on Friday on the B5063 between Shawbury and High Ercall.
They were the only people in the Skoda Fabia when it hit a tree on the opposite side of the road at a bend just outside Walton.
North Shropshire district councillor Rob Hewson said today Mr Brown had been at his house just hours before the tragedy to thank him and his wife Margaret for a Christmas present.
Mr Hewson, of Whitchurch, said Mr Murray had moved to the area from Manchester two or three weeks ago, after getting engaged.
He said Mr Brown, of Shawbury Road, Wem, was a “pleasure to know”.
Mr Hewson said: “Everybody who knew him couldn’t help but like him and our hearts go out to the families.”
A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: “The news of the tragic deaths of two Whitchurch postmen has been devastating for friends and colleagues at Royal Mail.
“Our condolences go out to both families and friends at this very difficult time.”
Chris Ammonds, spokesman for Telford police, said today: “Officers are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and we would like to appeal to anyone who believes they may have information to get in touch.”
He said post-mortem examinations were due to take place today. Anyone with information is asked to call Telford Police on 08457 444888.
13 Comments
ralph you will be truly missed your were a great guy with a wonderfull sense of humour take care mate
I’m a resident of rydal avenue whitchurch and raplh was my post man for well over a year.He always stopped to chat and it made the service he provided that little bit more personal. I’m saddened and shocked a this trajic shock.
I know ralph was off to the phillopenes shortly and i just can’t believe that he’s had that opportunity taken away.He was a super guy and i speak on behalf of the elderly residents who he helped in many ways that we will all dearly miss him. Our sympathies are with his family and girlfriend. Jo (31) whitchurch xx
Ralph worked in my parents newsagents and became a good friend. He was a great guy and will be sadly missed. In the words of Ralph may the dragon slayer rest in peace. Rob(36)
Sadly missed by all your friends in Wilmslow Paul…you were a great mate..Sympathies to your family..and Becca. xxx
Paul was originally from Wilmslow and went to school with my sons. I had the priveledge of managing him as captain of the local cricket team. He excelled to the point of excellence in all sports. He will be sorely missed by so many people back in Wilmslow, not least his family. What a tragic loss.
RALPH WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO MET HIM & HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO WORK WITH HIM.
Both Paul and Ralph were great colleagues at Royal Mail and I got well with both when I joined. Ralph was always willing to help out at work in any way or form and he was often very friendly. Paul was on a similar level of friendlieness and I was to have been route-training him this week. You will be dearly and sorely missed, guys.
Ralphy, miss you mate. Sympathies to your family. R.I.P
Our sympathies go to both guy’s families but in particular to Rebecca and also Paul’s family. We are thinking of you all at this terribly painful time.
I worked with Ralph at David Nicholson’s racing stables when we were both stable lads. We were good friends and shared a lot of laughs. Ralph looked after some very good horses the best of which was Call It A Day who he lead up in the Whitbread Gold Cup when the horse won. He was very good with his horses and looked after them well.
I went to school with Paul and know that he will be greatly missed here in Wilmslow. He was a hugely warm and kind person. I cant think of anybody who’s ever had a bad word to say about him. My thoughts go out to his family and inparticular my good friend Rebecca.
Paul was our postman, a more pleasant young man you could not wish to meet. I had a 9 a.m delivery brought to my house by Paul in his own car, because he knew he couldn’t make it in time otherwise. God bless him & give his family strength at this tragic and terrible loss. Could anyone let us know the arrangements, when they are known
We have lost not just a Mate but one of our Racing familly!Ralphy was an exceptionally good horseman, well liked,rarely with 0ut incident but a top Bloke! You’ll be sadly missed by all of us who had the pleasure to know you.God bless Mate.