Tragic death of Rebecca Kirby prompts renewed safety calls for…

Tributes have been paid to “thoughtful and caring” Rebecca Kirby tragically killed in a collision which has prompted further calls to improve safety on Hull’s Lowgate. Rebecca, known as Becks, died after she was struck by a car when she crossing the road while out with friends on the evening of August 27, 2021. Her death sparked a campaign to close Lowgate on Friday and Saturday nights and now a Hull coroner is issuing a Prevention of Deaths report to see if safety improvements can be made. An inquest was held into the 31-year-old’s death on Wednesday. Her loss has left her family devastated. After the inquest, Becks’ aunt Lisa Gage paid tribute. Read more: Calls for city centre road closures after woman’s tragic death She said: “Becks was such a beautiful girl who would do anything for anybody. We all miss her terribly. “I still cannot believe I won’t see my niece again. She had her full life ahead of her. She was getting a promotion at Arco and had just bought a house. Her partner has since renovated it just as she would have wanted it. It’s gorgeous now. “If we were feeling down she would just make you laugh. She was a light in our lives. I just miss her laugh which was so infectious.” The inquest also heard from Becks’ mum Helen Wilson in a statement read out. She said: “Becks was a social butterfly and a big rugby fan. She had a fantastic life and we love her with all our hearts. She loved helping people. “It was a tragic accident and we bear no malice to the driver who has to live with this for the rest of his life.” Rebecca Kirby (left) pictured with her aunt Lisa Gauge during Lisa’s wedding Becks’ partner of six years also paid an emotional tribute in a statement also read out at the inquest. He said: “Becks was my partner and best friend for six years. She was always the first on the dance floor and the first to open a bottle of Prosecco. “Becks had a heart of gold which she wore on her sleeve; She put everyone first. We were about to start a new chapter in our new house.” Becks was born in Hull and loved school where she made lots of friends. Her parents split up when she was five and her mum met someone else but Becks took it in her stride and seemed happy. “Becks loved our family holidays and when she was 17 we went to Mexico where she managed to swim with dolphins which she had always wanted to do” her mum said. Becks wanted to be a holiday rep but when she went to Edinburgh for two weeks’ work experience she realised she missed her family too much. She worked at The Holiday Express in Hull for three years and later went to Arco. When she was 25 she met her partner who she remained with until her death. They moved in together at her mum’s while they saved money for their own home which they bought on Willerby Road not long before she died. Mrs Wilson said: “We were blessed to have Becks living with us during Covid. She was such a caring and thoughtful person. She loved working at Arco and she felt really valued there. “She later bought her first home with her partner and they were exciting times for her. The post-mortem found Becks died of extensive head injuries due to the road traffic incident. She had 184mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood – the legal limit is 80mg. The toxicologist suggested that level of alcohol may have impaired her judgment. Becks was unresponsive immediately after the collision and never regained consciousness. She was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Rebecca Kirby has been remembered after her sad death The driver gave a statement in which he expressed his utter devastation at what happened. Investigations proved he was not speeding and was travelling at 23mph at the time of the collision. He was also not over the drink drive limit, was not on his phone and was wearing glasses for driving at the time. No charges were ever brought against him. He had been picking up his daughter and friends before dropping them off in the city centre in his Kia Sportage. He said: “I am devastated by the death of Rebecca. Her family and friends have been at the forefront of my mind ever since. What began as a normal day ended up with an event that has changed mine and others’ lives forever.” The driver said in his statement that as he travelled along Lowgate he saw a pedestrian on the kerb edge and swerved as he thought he was going to step into the road. There as also an oncoming car and a taxi rank which Becks came from. He never saw her and suddenly there was a bang and s
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