On September 13, 33 years ago, five youngsters were murdered in a horrific crash on Akers Way.
A driver lost control of his vehicle and drove at speeds of more than 90 mph before colliding with Paula Barnes, 15, Belinda Brown, 19, Paul Carr, 16, Sheree Lear, 8, and Ian Lilley, 7.
Shaun Gooch, 24, of Penhill, was sentenced to five years in prison for careless driving that caused death.
Furious campaigners had been demanding for a reduced speed limit and other road safety improvements even before the fatal collision occurred. Following the collision, the speed limit was reduced from 40 mph to 30 mph, and a roundabout was erected near the entrance to Cheney Manor Industrial Estate.
The victims’ family have now moved away from the region, and the bench where the children played has been removed, but a memorial plaque built at the site has been cared for by residents since the tragedy.
From left: Paul Carr, Sheree Ann Lear, Belinda Brown, and Ian Lilley.
The crash site.
The memorial shortly after its installation on Akers Way.
Gloucester Crown Court heard in 1992 how the tragedy occurred following a high-speed chase that resulted in what Nigel Pascoe QC described as “a scene of dreadful devastation”.
According to the prosecutor, Shaun Gooch and Anthony Gallagher, 23, were racing their Ford Escorts at speeds of at least 80 mph on Akers Way.
Witnesses saw two automobiles approaching at high speed.
Gooch’s automobile shifted down a gear and passed both Gallagher’s XR3i and another Ford Escort waiting to turn. They observed the automobile lose control, hit the curb, spin, and appear to fly airborne before colliding with the bench where the children were sitting.
Gooch required hospital care after being thrown out of his car in the incident, although he was not seriously injured. Ian, Sheree, and Paul died instantly. Belinda and Paula perished in the hospital.
Gallagher told authorities that the two cars collided as Gooch overtook him.
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