Arrests in Middleton over death crash

Officers have executed warrants at three addresses in Middleton this morning, Tuesday 11 October 2005, in connection with the death of a man following a fail to stop road traffic collision in June 2005.

Three men, a 22 year old man from Middleton, a 22 year old man from Heywood and a 21 yaer old man from Middleton, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of the collision.

Graham Richards DOB 14/11/1954, of Chelford Close, Middleton died just over a month after the collision on a dirt track close to Boarshaw Lane. Mr Richards was taking a shortcut home when, at approximately 11pm on Saturday 25 June 2005, a black Renault Clio drove along the lane and collided with him. The car was abandoned at the scene and the driver, possibly accompanied by others, ran off.

Graham, who was a keen triathlete, remained in the Royal Oldham Hospital for a week, receiving treatment for a serious leg injury. On 24 July 2005 Mr Richards became unwell and was readmitted to hospital where he died later that day. A post mortem examination revealed that he had died as a result of a heart attack, caused by a blood clot that had formed as a consequence of the earlier collision.

A short time after his death, Mr Richard's brother, Colin, and Rochdale Triathlon Club, of which Graham was Honorary Chairman, issued a tribute to him and made an appeal for information. Police subsequently received information from several members of the public. Officers are keen to speak to those people who contacted them anonymously at the time of the appeal and are asking them to make contact with police in Middleton on 0161 856
8753.

The three men arrested are due to be questioned by detectives.