Young Bolsover dad died on his birthday in car crash weeks after becoming father

Bradley Tyas was fatally injured during the smash on the A60 near Belph after hitting the water at “excess speed” and spinning into an approaching LGV lorry.

Paramedics pronounced Bradley - who had become a father just seven weeks before - dead at the scene on January 21 around 6am.

The new father – described as “the kindest, most loving person” – by family had been travelling to work when he collided with the truck.

An inquest into his death was told today that a police collision investigator found Bradley’s seatbelt fully retracted and locked - indicating it was not worn at the time of the crash.

Police said footage from CCTV at the Welbeck Estate indicated Bradley was travelling at between 69mph and 83mph on the 50mph road.

While a runner nearby to the scene on the morning of the crash told the inquest in a written statement he saw Bradley's A3 travelling “ridiculously fast” moments before.

Assistant coroner Susan Evans told the Chesterfield inquest evidence from forensic collision investigator PC Matthew Lacey showed Bradley was travelling “in excess of the speed limit”.

Heavy rain the previous day had caused surrounding fields to become “saturated” - creating a pool of water either side of the road at the scene of the collision.

As Bradley’s A3 - travelling north towards Worksop - hit the pool aquaplaned and “rotated” into the path of the oncoming DAF lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

PC Lacey said in his evidence the maximum safe speed to hit the body of water would have been 60mph.

He added that a vehicle travelling at 50mph or below could have passed through the water safely however Bradley was “travelling in excess of the speed limit” at the time of the accident.

Bradley’s partner Beth Richardson told in a written statement that on the morning of the accident he was running a few minutes late for work.

However she said: “Whenever I was in the car with Brad I would feel safe and at no point have I ever been scared of Brad’s driving.

“He liked cars and it was maintained to a very good standard - if things needed fixing he would get them done.”

Concluding the inquest Miss Evans said: “When (Bradley) drove into the standing water the excessive speed forced his car to aquaplane.”

Ms Evans added that although Bradley was not wearing a seatbelt a the time of the crash “the level of damage to his vehicle was such that it may not have made any difference to the outcome.”

Miss Evans concluded that Bradley died as a result of a road traffic collision.

In the days that followed Bradley’s death in January his family described him as: “The kindest, most loving person, who could light up a room with his energy and smile and his contagious laugh.”

They added: “He had a massive character, full of life, charming and funny.

“He leaves behind his beloved fiance, son, his mum and stepdad, his dad, and two devoted sisters.”

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