Coroner told how Ezra was walking home from a party when he was killed

A Coroner has been told how a 22 year-old man from Matlock was hit by a car while walking home from a party.

Ezra Peter Hytch, of Burnett Lane, was pronounced dead at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre on 19th June.

Derbyshire Coroner James Newman told the court how in the early hours of 19th June police were called to a single-vehicle versus pedestrian collision on the A615 at Tansley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Newman said: “According to the carriageway investigation he (Mr Hytch) was in the carriageway itself.

“The Ford Fiesta was travelling towards Matlock when it collided with him.”

Meanwhile, Ezra’s mother, Andrea Hytch, told the Matlcok Mercury how her son had just started working for Derbyshire as a Social Worker in adult mental health after graduating from the University of Bath last year.

Derbyshire County Council’s Strategic Director for Adult Care, Joy Hollister, paid tribute to him, saying: “We were extremely saddened to hear of Ezra’s death and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Ezra had only been with the Adult Care department since March but he had already proved to be a real asset to his colleagues and the clients he was working with.

“It was clear he was going to make an extremely good social worker and he will be missed greatly by all who knew and worked with him.”

Ezra’s manager at Derbyshire County Council Andy Green, said: “Ezra was both a respected colleague and a friend and he will be deeply missed and never forgotten by everyone who worked with him.

“Although he started work with our team a relatively short time ago he had already had a very positive impact. It was obvious to us all that he had a very promising career ahead of him.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tributes were also left on the Mercury’s Facebook page by readers.

Joanne M Walliss said: “Heartbreaking - thoughts go out to all the family.

Cheryl O’Brien said: “Having experienced the traffic in the Tansley area, it was always going to happen one day. My heart goes out to his family.

While Joanne Wilding said: “Tragic. Everyone I have spoken to in Tansley is devastated for him and is family.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coroner James Newman set a review date, pending a post-mortem report, of October 6.

PC Matthew Lacey, of Derbyshire Police, issued an appeal for witnesses to the accident to come forward with information to assist with the investigation.

He said: “Anybody who may have seen Ezra walking along that road at the time, if they could contact police it would provide valuable evidence.”

Phone 101 if you can help.