Man who cradled dying hit and run victim says that night will "haunt me forever"

A neighbour who gave comfort to man as he lay dying, the victim of a hit and run driver, said what happened that night will “haunt him forever”.

Richard Bratin, 51, and his German Shepherd dog Austin died when they were hit by John McGee’s Ford Focus in Richard Kelly Drive, Walton.

McGee, 27, who did not have his lights on at the time as he was trying to escape police – left the dad-of-one for dead and went on the run with his girlfriend Abbie Freel, 21.

Walton man Kevin Joyce saw Mr Bratin cross the street, before he heard a “loud bang” and watched John McGee’s Ford speed away.

He rushed to the victim’s aid, but Mr Bratin died shortly afterwards. He later told police: “It will haunt me forever.”

John McGee

In a statement read to the court Mr Joyce said: “His injuries were horrific. I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I can’t get the images of Richie and his dog out of my head.

“I tried to keep him awake, talking to him and tried to comfort him. I kept telling him he wasn’t on his own, I wasn’t going to leave him, everything was okay and someone was helping him. I just hope he could hear me and knew he wasn’t on his own when he died.

“I hope Richie’s family can eventually get their lives back together and have happier times.”

Floral tributes left on Richard Kelly Drive,Walton,where Richard Bratin was killed in a hit-and-run on Friday night.

Originally from Liverpool city centre, Mr Bratin had moved to Walton just weeks previously, after living with his nephew Paul in St Helens.

Paul told the ECHO previously: “He was always up for a laugh. I am going to miss his cheekiness and mischievousness the most.

“He would do anything for his son – really, he would have done anything for anyone. A lot of people loved him. He was just one of those people.”

Mr Bratin’s sister Andria Morris told the court her family lost “a son, father, brother, uncle and friend” in the incident on December 18 last year.

Floral tributes left on Richard Kelly Drive

She told the court: “This horrendous tragedy is a tormenting living hell for our family.

“Death is inevitable to us all, whether it be old age, illness. You get to say your goodbyes to loved ones. As a family we did not get that opportunity.

“Richie was a doting father, best friend to his son, taken at a time when his son needs him so much. As a family we can only try to fill this void.

“New members of the family will grow up with no memories or the privilege to have known Richie. This reckless act will have repercussions for generations to come.”

Mr Bratin volunteered at the Honey Rose Foundation in St Helens, which raises money and organises special days for people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Ms Morris said: “We have lost a man wanting to do something good in life. A caring man making a positive impact on society and helping terminally ill people. Those people have also been robbed.

“So much more has been taken from us as a family that can be put into words.”

McGee, a convicted drug dealer, of Outer Forum, Norris Green, was jailed for eight years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday after admitting dangerous driving and failing to stop.

His girlfriend Freel, of Townsend Avenue, Norris Green, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and was handed four months in jail, suspended for 18 months.

More stories from the courts

Motorist David Penny said McGee headed straight towards him on the wrong side of the road with his lights out before he hit Mr Bratin.

Mr Penny had to swerve to avoid the Ford – travelling at up to 60mph – and nearly collided with another car.

He also heard a loud bang, spotted Mr Bratin and his dog lying in the road, and went to try and help.

Mr Penny said: “I’ve had a hard time getting over what I saw.

“I keep seeing that car driving towards me and keep thinking of the poor victim being hit. It was so horrible I don’t have the words for it.

“What I saw that night was terrible. It was the most dangerous driving I’ve ever seen.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/