Road death man planned new start
A pedestrian killed in a car crash on Teesside was about to start a new life in Australia, his family have revealed.
Neil McClure, 41, suffered fatal head injuries when two cars collided on Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, early on Saturday.
The former serviceman, from Stockton, was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees, but died soon afterwards.
Mr McClure's family said he had just received a visa to work in Australia.
The drivers of the two cars were unhurt in the crash, Cleveland Police said.
In a statement, Mr McClure's family said he spent his earlier working years in the Royal Navy, including nine years as a helicopter engineer.
He had been living at home with his parents in the Hartburn area of Stockton and enjoyed walking his two Staffordshire Bull Terriers and watching his favourite football team, Middlesbrough.
On Friday night he had been watching Middlesbrough play Birmingham City game in a pub in Yarm with friends.
After watching the match he was making his way to stay with another friend, when the crash occurred.
The family statement said: "We will deeply miss Neil. We can't believe we have lost such a wonderful son so suddenly. He was about to start a new chapter in his life.
"He will be a great miss to all our family and his friends."
Police said the drivers of both cars were travelling alone and neither suffered any injuries.
A force spokeswoman said an investigation was trying to establish exactly how Mr McClure was struck.