Picture of metal bar could help solve mystery of Merseyside driver's death in Storm Eunice

traffic at the scene of the crash
Police examine the smashed windscreen of the van Credit: Liverpool Echo

The family of a man who was killed in a freak road accident during Storm Eunice are hoping a photograph of a metal bar can help solve the mystery of his death.

With the storm at its height, Stephen Matthews was a passenger in a van near the Switch Island junction in Liverpool on Friday 18 February when a piece of metal smashed through the windscreen.

Police want to identify where this metal bar came from Credit: Merseyside Police

The 68-year-old died a short time later. Police say they have released the photograph of the metal bar with the permission of Mr Matthews' family.Merseyside's roads policing officers believe the metal may have come from a box type van that was travelling towards Maghull on the A59.

Killed during Storm Eunice: Stephen Matthews Credit: Merseyside Police

Sergeant Steve Smith, from Merseyside Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Following the very sad death of Mr Matthews we have carried out a number of lines of enquiry into what occurred in the lead up to his death."On the that day the country was hit by strong winds as part of Storm Eunice. We believe that this piece of metal may have come off a vehicle as a result of the winds and struck the vehicle Mr Matthews was travelling in.

Family tribute to dad killed after Storm Eunice debris hit van

"It is thought it may be from a box type van which could have been travelling towards Maghull on the A59 and I would ask anyone who has any information which could assist our investigation to contact us."Do you believe this item has come from your vehicle? Has a rental vehicle been returned to your business with metalwork missing or have you been asked to supply or fit a new part similar to that pictured to a vehicle in the past three weeks?"Mr Matthews’ family have given us permission to release this photograph as they are searching for answers to what happened that day."We understand that the driver of the vehicle may not even have realised at the time what had happened, but it is important, for Mr Matthews’ family, that we pursue this line of enquiry and find out the full circumstances of his death."I must stress, that this time I am searching for the driver as a witness to this incident as they can assist with my investigation in providing answers for the family."Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call the Merseyside Police Matrix Roads Policing Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk, or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 22000120435.