TRIBUTES have been paid to a grandfather who was hit by a car as he tried to cross a busy dual carriageway.
Seamus Newell, 72, from Connah’s Quay, died after his pushbike was struck on the A55 near Ewloe on Sunday afternoon.
Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to the Aston Hill accident.
Mr Newell, originally from Ballymartin in Northern Ireland, moved to Flintshire in 1956 where he worked as a rigger for British Steel.
“Seamus was well known in the area as a talented footballer and also for playing his accordion in various pubs and clubs,” said his family in a statement.
“In later years he ran Newells Stores on Shotton Lane in Shotton with wife Gwenda, who tragically died of cancer in 2003.”
Mr Newell, who lived near his two daughters Margaret and Sandra, leaves son-in-laws Colin and Kevin, five grandchildren and extensive family across North Wales, Northern Ireland and England.
A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust said the incident involved a car and a pushbike and happened on the eastbound slip-road at Aston Hill.
Two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles rushed to the scene.
Mr Newell was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital but later died from his injuries.
Connah’s Quay councillor Aaron Shotton paid tribute: “It is very saddening to hear of the death of Mr Newell especially under such tragic circumstances,” he said.
The A55 was shut until early evening and the driver of the car was questioned by police.
A requiem mass will be held at the Church of Blessed Sacrament on Thursday, April 22, at 10am.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen an elderly man, wearing glasses and a flat cap who was either riding or pushing a pedal cycle at about 3pm on Sunday on the A55 or the A494, to contact PC 450 Aled Jackson at the North Wales PoliceEastern Roads Policing Unit on 101 or 0845 6071001.