A PEDESTRIAN who died following a car crash has been named as Roy Toogood.

Mr Toogood was killed following a collision with a car on the A1058 Beach Road, North Shields, at around 11.30am on Monday.

The 66-year-old was taken to Newcastle’s RVI for treatment but he later died.

The driver of the car, an 18-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Toogood, who received an MBE for his work with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, lived in Cullercoats, North Tyneside.

He was made an MBE in 2001 and worked at the Inland Revenue’s international services department, in Longbenton, for many years.

His job involved working with high- ranking foreign officials on complex tax issues and his work took him to countries including Canada, Korea, Japan and Chile. Coun Shirley Mortimer, who represents the Cullercoats ward, said: “I’m absolutely devastated at the news.

“Mr Toogood was a good man who has worked hard over the years. His death has shocked everyone.”

HMRC’s Chris Simpson, operations deputy director, said: “We are saddened to hear of the tragic death of our former colleague. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.”

Police are continuing to investigate the collision and a sign has been placed at the scene of the crash asking drivers to ring the police if they have any information.

Retired decorator Alan Dunning, 62, of North Shields, said: “I got there after the accident had happened.

“I was on my way to visit my niece, who lives in Marden. But when I drove up to the Tynemouth Pool roundabout and got to the top of Beach Road, it was blocked by a police car.

“Everyone was having to drive past and go a different way.

“I could see there were more police cars further down Beach Road but I couldn’t see what had happened. It was clearly a serious incident. This is a main road going towards the coast and it’s used by loads of people every day. I go down here quite regularly myself.

“It’s sad to hear someone has died. My thoughts go out to his family.” A 58-year-old driver, from Cullercoats, who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, added: “There were several police cars and a fire engine there and an ambulance.

“There was a car embedded in the trees on the side of the road and a few other cars had stopped. Police were talking to the drivers and somebody was being put into the ambulance on a stretcher.

“I use that road every day and it’s very busy at rush hour, but it’s usually quite quiet at that time so I was very shocked to see such a serious crash at that time of day.

“When I heard somebody had died, I was completely shocked.”

Any witnesses to the collision should contact officers on 101 ext 69191.