The wife of a devoted father-of-three killed in a horrific road accident less than a fortnight before Christmas has paid tribute to the man she loved.
Roofer and joiner Andrew Swailes died at the scene of the accident in Otley Road, Baildon, about half a mile from his home in Hollin Head.
Andrew, 44, who worked for Paragon Roofing in Canal Road, Bradford, was in collision with a Nissan Navara pick-up truck outside The Shoulder of Mutton pub at about 9pm on Tuesday.
A caring son, he had been returning home from visiting his dad, Raymond Swailes, 71, in Carr Lane, Shipley, when tragedy struck.
Pub staff and passers-by looked after him during his final minutes but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife Maxine, 50, told of her shock and sadness following the loss of her husband, who leaves sons Luke, 22, Marc, 21, and Patrick, 17. She said: “Everybody who knew him loved him so much. The children loved their dad, they absolutely worshipped him.
“We are all going to miss him.”
She described Andrew as a hard working man with a keen interest in motorbikes and caring for his pets.
The couple had four dogs and were supporters of the Greyhound Rescue Centre in Sowerby Bridge.
His other passion was a pair of Honda CV900 motorbikes, which he used to ride to work and across the countryside on weekends.
His sister Kathy Lakin, of Dockfield Road, Shipley, remembered her brother as “a joker”.
She said: “When he walked his dog on the golf course, he always used to pick up golf balls. One Christmas, he had a pocket full of balls and we all got one as a present.
“He was a family man and a joker who will be sadly missed.”
Roads police from Airedale and North Bradford now want to speak to the driver of a car which was following the Navara at the time of the accident.
The motorist stopped for a short time before driving away.
The driver of the car or anyone else who has information should contact PC Phil Day on 0845 6060606.
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