Tributes paid to father who died from critical injuries in Wolverhampton

It's as West Midlands Police issue a fresh appeal for information.

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 10th May 2023

The family of a father who died after being found with critical injuries in Wolverhampton road have paid tribute to a ‘generous and modest man’.

Michael Bland was discovered on Old Hill in Tettenhall in the early hours of April 28 and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

West Midlands Police are issuing a fresh public appeal as they try to work out what led to the 49-year-old’s death.

Detectives believe Michael was struck by a vehicle, but said they need people to come forward and provide information.

Michael’s family have released tributes to him. His sister said: “My brother Michael was the father of a beautiful girl who needs specialist care. A loving son to his disabled father, a brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend.

“He worked hard to become successful so he could support not only his immediate family but everyone he knew. The family has been left destroyed by what has happened and that he is no longer with us. The loss is unbearable.”

She said Michael was a very generous man and had raised money for various charities.

She added: “We as a family have received so many messages of how he helped, donated and raised money for different charities especially during the Covid lockdown without mentioning it as he was too modest. Please help heal this loss. We need to make sense of why we lost him.”

Michael’s former partner said: “Michael was an incredibly generous person. He adored his daughter, she was the focus of his life. Michael was loved by so many, and his family and friends are devastated by his loss".

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our investigation has led us to a specific time frame of between 2:40am and 3:50am and I would ask that anyone who recalls driving or walking along Old Hill between those times to make contact with us as soon as possible. Old Hill is a very distinctive road and anyone who uses it would recall doing so.

“We also particularly want to see any dash cam footage so please if you do have anything which you think may help us then please get in touch."

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