Four men killed in Huyton lamppost crash 'identified by dental records' as man charged

Jack Diggle, 23, Benjamin Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, were all pronounced dead at the scene after the car they were in crashed into a lamppost

Abigail Hunt Content Editor

10:47, 12 Aug 2026

[Jack Diggle was among four killed in the crash]

Jack Diggle was among four killed in the crash(Image: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

Four lads who tragically lost their lives in a car crash due to multiple injuries were identified by their dental records, an inquest has heard.

Jack Diggle, 23, Benjamin Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, were all declared dead at the scene when police responded to reports of a Seat Cupra Formentor veering off the road after smashing into a lamppost on East Prescot Road, Huyton, Merseyside, in the wee hours of July 24.

The inquests for the four men were opened at Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday, where senior coroner for Sefton Anita Bhardwaj was informed that the lads were identified by their dental records, as well as by the clothes they were spotted wearing on CCTV footage earlier that evening.

[Craig Shackleton-Brady]

Craig Shackleton-Brady(Image: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

Coroner's officer Liam Moss informed the court that the single-vehicle collision occurred at 1.54am on the eastbound carriageway of the road.

He stated: "The collision resulted in the deaths of four of the five occupants of the vehicle."

The cause of death for the four lads was listed as multiple injuries.

[Andrew Roberts]

Andrew Roberts(Image: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

The brief hearing was told Mr Dooley, from Stockbridge Village, was a student and Mr Shackleton-Brady, from Dovecot, worked as a warehouse operative.

Mr Diggle, from West Derby, and Mr Roberts, from Dovecot, were both unemployed, the court was informed.

James Diggle, 27, also from West Derby, has been charged with four counts of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and is set to appear at Liverpool Crown Court next month.

[Benjamin Dooley]

Benjamin Dooley(Image: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

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Ms Bhardwaj officially opened the inquests and suspended them pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

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