Washington grandfather killed in van crash

Jul 7 2009 by Sophie Doughty, The Journal

A LOVING grandfather was killed when his motorcycle crashed with a van.

Experienced biker John Crampsey was riding from his Washington home to a car boot sale in Yorkshire with a friend when the accident happened on Saturday.

But the day out turned to tragedy when a pick-up truck allegedly pulled out from a junction and into the path of the two motorcycles.

Mr Crampsey, 61, suffered internal injuries in the smash at Flaxby, near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.

He was taken to hospital in Harrogate, but his life could not be saved.

The pick-up driver, a 28-year-old man from Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, was arrested and questioned on suspicion of dangerous driving and being unfit to drive through drink and drugs, before being released on bail.

And yesterday as police appealed for witnesses to the crash, Mr Crampsey’s devastated family paid tribute to the loving husband, father, and grandfather. His wife of 37 years, Marlene, 56, said: “I still can’t believe it. He was a lovely man and he just loved his family.”

The mechanic’s passions were cars and motorcycles.

He was an experienced biker, who had attended numerous safety courses and took his white Suzuki on trips all over the UK and Europe.