Family's tears after hit-and-run tragedy

A HEARTBROKEN mum today told how she had cancelled her birthday until the hit-and-run driver who killed her son is found.

Shaun Metcalfe, 34, of Ruskin Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, died after being struck by a car on Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, after a Saturday night out two weeks ago.

Distraught mother Jennifer is in a state of shock and revealed how she was due to meet her beloved son on Thursday to celebrate her birthday.

But she didn't celebrate at all.

Jennifer, also of Ruskin Avenue, said: "I was supposed to be going down the Hare and Hounds to have a drink with Shaun. We had arranged it. But I didn't do anything. I just want the person who has done this to give themselves up."

Shaun had spent the night in the Hare and Hounds pub, where he also worked, but was hit as he made his way home early on Sunday, January 18.

His funeral, on Monday, is expected to attract hundreds of mourners who will pay their respects to the popular quiet man.

Mark, Shaun's brother, said: "We've been going through hell. We are no nearer to knowing what has happened. The police are doing what they can and are keeping us informed. But we are waiting about, not knowing what to do with ourselves.

"There is just an emptiness in the house and time's dragging on. We have got things going over and over in our minds."

And he had a stark message for the driver who left Shaun in the road.

He said: "They have got to give themselves in. I cannot imagine anybody so callous as to think 'it doesn't affect me so why should I bother about it'.

"We are expecting hundreds of people for the funeral. The sheer number of people who have sent cards or knocked on the door to offer their sympathy has been overwhelming. It has helped us knowing there are a lot more people who care than we can ever imagine. But we will still be no nearer to knowing what happened once we have said our final farewells."

As well as Mark, Shaun had a sister Christine, cousins, and eight nephews and nieces.

Shaun also worked at Baron Mercers in William Street, Accrington, where he was a wood-sprayer. Occasionally he would got to Ewood Park to watch Blackburn Rovers or to Wigan to watch rugby league.

Police officers believe the car which struck Shaun stopped 40 yards up the road after the accident then reversed before driving off.

Sergeant Keith Jackson, of Accrington Road Safety Unit, is heading the investigation. He said: "We are following several lines of inquiry and collating information we received from the reconstruction."

A requiem mass will take place at St Mary's RC Church, in Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, at 1pm on Monday, followed by burial at Dill Hall Lane Cemetery at 2.15pm.