Overview
- A two-vehicle crash on the A171 near Scaling Dam late on Friday, October 2, killed Darlington residents Alan Charlton, 90, and Joy McCulloch, 74, as they travelled to Whitby.
- Joy McCulloch died at the scene and Alan Charlton later died in hospital, while the driver and a teenage passenger of the other car were treated for injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
- Both victims were long-time local volunteers who had been awarded MBEs for public service and health care, with Charlton known for hospital fundraising and Rotary work and McCulloch remembered as a cardiac nurse and Age UK volunteer.
- North Yorkshire Police say the collision is under investigation and have asked anyone with information to call 101 or email sciu@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference 12260194121, and to provide any dashcam footage.
- The deaths have prompted widespread tributes from local politicians, charities and community groups and leave gaps in volunteer roles at the hospital and in civic organisations that supported local fundraising and services.