Vicar and wife named as pedestrians killed in 'devastating' car crash

By John Mercury August 31, 2024

Tributes have been paid to a husband and wife who were killed in a car crash as they walked near a pier.

Police previously confirmed two pedestrians were among three people who died in the North Wales collision which involved a grey Audi A8 in the town of Beaumaris on Anglesey on Wednesday.

The driver of the vehicle, an 81-year-old local man, also died at the scene.

The Diocese of Coventry has named the pedestrians as the Reverend Stephen Burch and his wife Kathy, both aged 65 and from Alcester in Warwickshire.

In a statement, the diocese said the news came as a “shock” as Rev Burch had only retired at the end of last year.

He had served the diocese in several roles during a 35-year period, most recently as vicar of St James’s church in the Fletchamstead area for 19 years.

He was described as a “popular member” of the diocese and known for his “good humour and unwavering faith”.

The location of Beaumaris on Anglesey island
Image:
The location of Beaumaris on Anglesey

Mrs Burch was known by many for her work with CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society) and worship ministry, the diocese added.

During their retirement year, the couple were “still very active” within the diocese.

A spokesperson for the diocese said its thoughts were with the Burch family who have asked that their privacy be respected as they come to terms with their “devastating, unexpected loss”.

North Wales Police responded to the crash in Beaumaris shortly after 2.45pm on Wednesday.

Photos from the scene in Beaumaris. Pic: Leon M/X
Image:
Photos from the scene in Beaumaris. Pic: Leon M/X

Three people died at the scene on Alma Street, close to Beaumaris Pier, where members of the public and the emergency services all rushed to help.

Officers asked the public not to speculate as they worked to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

The area around the high street was closed for some time and the public was urged to avoid the area in the aftermath of the crash.

The town of Beaumaris, which has a population of around 1,100, is on the east coast of the island of Anglesey off the North Wales coast.

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Reverend Lesley Rendle, associate vicar at St Mary’s and St Nicholas’s Church in Beaumaris, previously told Sky News that it would be a “while” before the community processed what had happened.

North Wales Police is continuing to appeal for any witnesses or anyone who has dashcam footage to get in touch.

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