The widow of Jay Newby-Gallagher said his death came “completely out of the blue”
17:30, 04 Sep 2025Updated 19:31, 04 Sep 2025
Kayleigh said Jay was a “massive part of all our lives”(Image: Kayleigh Newby-Gallagher)
The widow of a man who died in a crash says she is living through a “nightmare” every day. Jay Newby-Gallagher died after his motorbike and a blue Renault Zoe collided on Northway in Maghull at around 8.30am on Wednesday, May 14.
The keen biker was on a Suzuki motorbike which was involved in a crash with a car outside the Aldi store at the junction of Dover Road. The 34-year-old, who was from the Maghull area, died at the scene.
Merseyside Police announced the day after Jay’s death that a 34-year-old woman from South Tyneside was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. She was released on conditional bail. A police spokesperson told the ECHO today that the suspect remains on conditional bail.
Jay had been in a relationship with Kayleigh Newby-Gallagher for 15 years and the couple had been married for eight years. Speaking to the ECHO about what Jay was like, Kayleigh, 32, from Maghull, said: ”He was always so happy, always making people laugh.
“He just had this way of knowing what people found funny. He would do impressions of everyone. He used to gig in local bars around Liverpool – he was an acoustic solo singer.
“Everyone loved the Irish cover songs. We would sing them really quickly and everyone would be up singing and dancing.
“He was really supportive, really caring. He helped not just me, but my family and his family through, so many things over the years and he just never made anyone feel like it was an inconvenience to him.”
Kayleigh was away from home when she was told that Jay had died. She said: “I was away for work and I had left the night before. I got a phone call while I was at work to say that Jay had been in an accident and the paramedics had been there.
“Then I got another call after that. I’m quite lucky I’ve got such supportive colleagues to be honest because they were all with me at the time.”
“I don’t remember a lot of what happened afterwards. It was completely out of the blue. He’d get his bike to work most days. It was just a normal day.”
Kayleigh Newby-Gallagher and Jay Newby-Gallagher were together for 15 years(Image: Kayleigh Newby-Gallagher)
Almost four months on, Kayleigh is still coming to terms with what has happened. She said: “Jay was just such a massive part of all of our lives. It’s never going to be the same again. He was my whole world.
“It’s like living a nightmare every single day, waking up, knowing that I’ve got to get through another day without him. I think you realise how much of an effect he’s had with the amount of people that have been grieving since the accident.”
Kayleigh has been supported during this time by Sudden Sam, an organisation that supports the friends and family of people who have died suddenly. It is named after Sam Mercer, a 35 year-old from Crosby who died after having surgery for a broken leg in 2023.
Kayleigh will be doing a paraglide in memory of Jay, with all money going to Sudden Sam. She said: “They were able to provide counselling within a few days of me getting in contact with them.
“It’s been really nice to just have a safe space to talk about my feelings. You hear about these things all the time and always think it won’t happen to you. But really everyone’s only a phone call away from your whole life falling apart.
“I think the work that they do is amazing. They can provide emotional, financial and practical support for people in the Liverpool City Region and I’d like to help them provide that support.
“Paragliding is something that me and Jay had spoken about doing for a while, and we were actually supposed to do it on holiday last year.
“I’ve always just been a little bit nervous but Jay would always say to me that I’d be fine. It’s just a little bit of a challenge.”
The donations and support Kayleigh has received has been of some comfort during this time. She said: “People have been so supportive already. Seeing everyone donating and sharing the fundraiser, it’s really nice.”
You can find out more about Kayleigh’s fundraiser here.
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- Paul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
- The Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
- James’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/