Last updated at 16:57, Wednesday, 28 November 2012

A GRANDDAD who died after a collision on the coast road was “looking forward to retiring next year”, his family has said.

VICTIM: Malcolm Boddington who died in a car crashsubmitted

Police, firefighters and an ambulance were called to the coast road near to the pitch and putt course at around 5pm on Thursday.

A silver Vauxhall Vectra, being driven by 64-year-old Malcolm John Boddington, appeared to have left the road and crashed after driving onto the grass verge.

A cyclist, firefighters and paramedics all fought to save the Mr Boddington by attempting to resuscitate him at the scene but he died after being taken to Furness General Hospital.

Mr Boddington’s daughter, Tammy Phipps who lives in Bridgwater in Somerset, said police called her at 11pm that night to break the news to her.

Mrs Phipps, 41, said her dad had moved to Barrow around 17 years ago to live with his partner Jeanie Bridges.

“My dad was originally from Northampton, he spent most of his life in Bridgwater then met Jean and moved to Barrow,” Mrs Phipps said.

“He was a lorry driver for Tuffnells and was due to retire next September. He was looking forward to it so much.”

Twice a year, Mrs Phipps would travel to Barrow with her three teenage children to see their grandfather.

“The last time I saw him was in August,” she said.

“He was fine, he’s never had anything wrong with him that I’m aware of and he had to have medicals regularly because he was a HGV driver.”

Mrs Phipps described her dad as a “doting granddad who loved spending time with his family”.

She added: “He was my dad, he was the one and only... he was always there for me and his grandchildren. He adored them.”

A statement from Mr Boddington’s partner, Jean Bridges, was issued by police yesterday.

It said: “Malcolm moved, with his partner to Barrow in 1995 from Bridgewater, Somerset. Malcolm was a loving partner, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who will be sadly missed by all.

“He enjoyed listening to music - particularly country and the music of the 60s.

“Malcolm enjoyed bingo and spending time with his family in his caravan at Southend Caravan Park. He worked at Tufnells in Carnforth as a lorry driver.

“We are all devastated by this tragedy and the loss of Malcolm will leave a large hole in our lives.”

Mrs Phipps, who is training to be a delivery driver and “follow in dad’s footsteps”, thanked the emergency services who tried to save her father’s life.

“I can’t thank them enough for trying so hard,” she added.

Paul Milburn, watch manager at Barrow fire station, described how those first at the scene of the crash had spent some time attempting to resuscitate Mr Boddington.

Mr Milburn said: “When we were in attendance there was a cyclist on the scene who was carrying out CPR on the casualty, and then the fire service took over CPR and carried out emergency care.

“This was prior to the paramedics taking over from us.”

The coroner has been informed and an inquest is expected to be opened in due course.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact PC Nick Johns at Ulverston Roads Policing Unit on 101.

First published at 16:57, Friday, 16 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk