The family of the second victim of a crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Leslie Baron, 56, had been the passenger on a motorbike when it was involved in a road traffic collision with a car.
Both Leslie and the rider – 21-year-old Lewis Durham – were unseated and suffered serious injuries.
Lewis tragically died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services, while Leslie passed away several hours later in hospital.
Leslie’s family have now issued a tribute to him, describing him as a ‘larger-than-life character’ who loved his dogs, biking and golf.
His family also praised the hospital staff who cared for him in his final hours.
They said: “It is with a heavy heart that we write this message in tribute to Leslie Baron, known to us as “Lez”. He was a much-loved brother, uncle, and a friend to many.
“We would firstly like to thank the emergency services and the members of the public for all their efforts in helping him at the scene of the collision. We extend our praise to the hospital staff at Aintree Hospital also.
“Lez was a larger-than-life character who loved his dogs, riding his motorbike, and playing golf. He would do anything for anyone. He will be missed deeply by us all.
“May he rest in peace; we will love you always.”
The crash occurred on Ormskirk Road in Wigan shortly after 7.15pm on Saturday 13 April, at the junction with Billinge Road.
The driver of the car involved, a 41-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. He has since been released on bail.
Lewis Durham, who was also killed in the collision in Wigan. Credit: GMP
Lewis’s family yesterday issued the below tribute to him, the second victim of the fatal crash in Wigan.
“It is with great sadness that Lewis has been so tragically taken away from us. He sadly passed away in a road traffic accident in Wigan on Saturday 13th April.
“The youngest in our family with the world at his feet. He’s left a huge hole in our family, our hearts are absolutely broken. He was always a happy, fun-loving character, who had everything going for him in life, loved by everyone and had the best of friends. A loving son, grandson, and little brother.
“We’d like to thank the emergency services and people who assisted him at the scene who comforted him in maybe his last moments. We’ll cherish every memory we have of you, Lewis.
“We’re all beyond proud of you and will miss and love you forever. You’re now the brightest star in the sky Lewis. Love you forever and always Mam, Dad, Grandma, Granda, Nana, and your two big sisters.”
New National Highways campaign launched to prevent ‘intrusive’ act that 43% of drivers admit to doing
Emily Sergeant
A new campaign has been launched by National Highways to raise awareness of an ‘intrusive’ driving act that 43% of Brits admit to doing.
Whether intentional or not, tailgating – a term used for driving too closely behind another vehicle – is known to create tension and anxiety for drivers across the UK, and remains a serious safety issue for other road users, which is why National Highways has launched a campaign to tackle the issue.
Recent Government statistics have shown that tailgating leads to an average of 147 deaths or serious injuries every year on motorways and major A-roads, with 60% of drivers saying that being tailgated makes them feel uncomfortable.
But despite this, 43% of drivers admit to tailgating ‘at least sometimes’.
The National Highways’ new campaign, titled Make the Change: Two Seconds is all it Takes, is working to highlight how one person’s driving behaviour, even if unintentional, can cause real stress for others.
The agency said the simple message in the campaign’s name highlights that all drivers need to do is maintain this ‘suitable’ following distance.
“Small changes in driving behaviour can have a big impact on overall road safety and everyone’s wellbeing on the road,” the campaign reads.
A new National Highways campaign has been launched to prevent ‘intrusive’ tailgating on UK roads / Credit: pxfuel
“Keeping a safe following distance of at least two seconds is a simple yet vital habit. It significantly improves road safety while promoting a calmer, more respectful driving atmosphere for everyone.
“Following another vehicle too closely can make the driver ahead feel stressed and pressured. It’s much like someone standing too near to you in a queue – uncomfortable and intrusive.
“Respecting space matters just as much on the road as it does in everyday life.”
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As a way of maintaining the two-second gap, the National Highways encourages drivers to ‘pick a fixed point up ahead’, such as a road sign or lamppost, and as the car in front passes it, start counting: ‘one thousand one, one thousand two’.
If you reach that point before finishing the count, you’re too close and need to ease off the accelerator to allow more space.
Featured Image – Edward Lawrence (via Unsplash)
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You can win tickets to sold-out Lewis Capaldi gigs at Greggs
Thomas Melia
Nationwide bakery chain Greggs has partnered with singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi for a chance to win tickets for his sold-out UK tour.
Now, if there’s one thing we love more than sausage rolls, it’s watching Glasgow solo star Lewis Capaldi perform his smash hit singles to crowds of roaring fans –and Glastonbury proved that.
The ‘Hold Me While You Wait’ singer recently announced his latest UK tour, and to no one’s surprise, it sold out within minutes, with extra dates added in each city.
Leave it to Greggs, one of the UK’s favourite savoury pick-me-up companies, and its new campaign with Capaldi, which offers lucky fans the chance to win tickets to one of these sold-out UK tour dates – How ‘Grace'(ful).
This new campaign, titled ‘Someone you look like?’ – inspired by the chart-topping anthem ‘Someone You Loved’ – encourages fans of the Scottish Beyoncé to dress up in an outrageous outfit inspired by one of Lewis’ many stylish looks.
Greggs and Lewis Capaldi are offering fans the chance to win tickets to his sellout tour across five of the bakery chain’s sites, including London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and right here in Manchester.
The bond between Greggs and Capaldi isn’t new either, as the ‘Bruises’ penman worked a shift for the savoury suppliers back in 2019, having a blue plaque erected at this very Middlesbrough site professing his love for a tuna crunch butty.
This isn’t the only competition that UK bakery chain Greggs is currently running; it’s also teamed up with package holiday brand Jet2 to give away a holiday at the same price as their iconic sausage rolls.
Whilst you’re at it…
Greggs and Lewis Capaldi have 25 pairs of tickets to win per restaurant location and the nearest bakery spot running this promotion is theSalford site located at Media City, M50 2HF on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. All information can be found HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
17th April 2024 
