Gateshead lorry crash victim named as ‘loyal’ NUFC fan Sam Johnson

The man killed in a Gateshead lorry collision in the early hours of Sunday morning has been named as "loyal Newcastle United fan" Sam Johnson.

The 25-year-old was hit by a heavy goods vehicle on the A194(M) eastbound shortly after 5 am on Sunday, November 21.

Sam sadly died later on Sunday evening and now his family have paid tribute to a young man who will be "sorely missed" by all.

In a statement, they said: “Sam was aged 25 and a much-loved son of Christine and Carl.

“He was a first class honours graduate of Northumbria University and was in the final stages of his accountancy professional qualifications at a city based accountancy firm.

“He was a loyal Newcastle United fan, and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

“We would ask that our privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Emergency services attended the scene of the collision on Sunday, near the junction with the A195 and Follingsby Lane, and the pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the collision which resulted in Sam’s death.

The driver of the HGV remained at the scene and is supporting officers with their investigation.

Inspector Dean Hood, of Northumbria Police, said: “Every death on our roads is always incredibly sad, but it is especially poignant when it involves somebody so young – and who had his whole future ahead of him.

“We will continue to offer Sam’s family any support they need and would ask everyone respects their privacy as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened.

“We are determined to find out what happened in the moments immediately before this collision, and would continue to ask any witnesses – or anybody with information that they think could assist our investigation – to get in touch.

“If you were travelling in the area at the time, and have yet to do so, please come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website or by calling 101 quoting reference NP-20211121-0251.