Funeral dates set for West Cumbria car crash pair

By Kelly Eve

Last updated 17:46, Monday, 06 October 2008

Funerals will take place this week for two west Cumbrian men killed in a car crash last Wednesday.

Nathan Steele (left) and Ian Cass

Ian Cass, 26, from Newtown, Frizington, and Nathan Steele, 36, of Cringlethwaite Terrace, Egremont, died when their cars collided on the road to Branthwaite, a mile east of the Lillyhall roundabout.

Services for both men will be held at Distington Hall Crematorium.

On Wednesday at noon, mourners will gather in memory of Mr Cass, who is survived by his parents John and Christine, sister Rachael and niece Lauren. Arrangements are being handled by F Irving and Son of Main Street, Frizington.

The following day a service will be held for Mr Steele.

Mr Steele’s relatives, including his parents Ian and Erica, request only family flowers and ask that any donations go to the Great North Air Ambulance, c/o Adams, Read and Hocking Funeral Directors, Bridge End Funeral Home, Egremont.

Dozens of tributes, flowers, messages and sympathy cards have been attached to trees near where the crash happened. Scores of tributes have been paid online through the News & Star website, some from Australia and Canada, have been paid too.

In memory of Mr Steele, Jimmy and Kathleen Irving, who live in Brisbane, Australia, wrote: “It is with the greatest shock that I read the headlines on the internet. Our thoughts are with you Erica and Ian. To us he will always be the little boy next door.”

Christopher Parr, of Whitehaven, said of Mr Steele: “You were a remarkable and very special young gentleman and your memory will live forever within the hearts and souls of all your many great friends. We miss you so much.

“We will remember you with the highest degree of respect. You were are truly great person and you set the mark.

“All our thoughts are with your Mam and Dad. We all pray that God will give them the capacity to eventually recover from the tragedy of losing you, Nathan.”

He added: “You are a genuine hero Nathan and we all love you. And we shall continue to celebrate your wonderful contribution to this world. ”

Around 70 online tributes, many from residents of Frizington, have been paid to Mr Cass.

One from Frizington’s amateur rugby league club reads: “The committee, players and coaching staff from Frizington ARLFC would like to send there deepest sympathy and thoughts to all of Ian’s family. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace.”

Joe and Linda Campbell, from Frizington, said: “Our condolences to John and Christine for the loss of your son Ian.

“RIP Ian you will be sadly missed but never forgotten.

“Our thoughts are with your friends, family and everyone around you.”

Online tributes can be left for the families of Mr Cass and Mr Steele at www.newsandstar.co.uk.

A third man, a 21-year-old passenger in the Peugeot Mr Cass was driving, suffered serious injuries and was reported to be in a stable condition at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.