Tributes to a blind pensioner from Frodsham who died after being hit by a car

Jan 6 2011 by Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle

BLIND pensioner died after a collision with a car.

Keith Allsopp, of Brookside Road, Frodsham, was knocked down crossing the road with his guide dog.

Mr Allsopp suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital. He was transferred to Walton Hospital, but died of his injuries in the early hours of last Wednesday.

The 74-year-old was well known in the community, often seen walking with his black Labrador guide dog, Zane through Frodsham.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident on Marsh Lane at 4.42pm on Monday December 27.

The driver of the car, a 51-year-old Runcorn man, was unhurt.

Keith Allsopp, often sang at Frodsham Folk Club and was a regular at the Conservative Club in Frodsham and the Prospect Folk Club in Runcorn.

Since his death the club's forum has been flooded with tributes.

Born in Stanley, County Durham, Mr Allsopp worked in London as a shorthand typist before moving to Frodsham in 1970 to work as a computer programmer for the Department of Employment in Runcorn.

Keith lost his sight when he was in his early twenties, after an illness, and since then he had been accompanied by six different guide dogs.

Mr Allsopp and his former wife Rita, who lives in Helsby, remained great friends and she described him as ‘a very kind and generous man with a wicked sense of humour’.

"He loved people," said Mrs Allsopp, adding that, as his next of kin, she had respected his wish to donate both his kidneys. She added: "Keith enjoyed walking holidays and loved music, regularly attending classical concerts in Liverpool, and performing as a popular singer at the local folk club."

Friend Kathleen Povall said: "Keith would stand up and sing with his rich bass voice, and would often be very entertaining with songs from the North East.

"He was fiercely independent and such a strong personality that his blindness was the last thing you would think about when you were with him.

"But he related so well with people that he would ask for help if he needed it, but he also gave help to others generously."

Frodsham Mayor Cllr Brian Lloyd said: "Keith was very well-known in Frodsham and this has come as a great shock.

"I knew Keith a long time. We enjoyed discussing politics. He was a very bright, intelligent man – a great bloke whose disability never held him back.

"He was a good man and local people are desperately sad to lose him."

Zane, the guide dog, was not harmed and is being cared for by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Anyone with information regarding the accident contact Sergeant Rachel Gallagher on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.