Daughters pay tribute to man killed in road smash

By Jenny Barwise

Published at 16:47, Thursday, 17 January 2013

The devastated daughters of a pedestrian killed in a road collision have paid an emotional tribute to their devoted dad, saying he was “their world.”

James Henry Smith

James Henry Smith, of Hyde Street, Workington, was in collision with a car on the town's Oxford Street, on Tuesday evening.

The 54-year-old grandfather, who was known as Jim, died the following day in hospital from his serious head injuries.

His daughters, Sharon Smith, of Egremont and Alisha Smith, of Workington, have spoken about the heartbreak of losing their dad.

“He was our world,” said the grieving daughters. “He was one in a million. We can’t imagine life without our dad, we will miss him so much.”

Mr Smith was born and brought up in Whitehaven with his three brothers and sister, before moving to Workington with his late wife Norma.

His daughter’s said that when his wife died suddenly in 2011, it was like their dad had “lost his right arm.”

"They were soul mates,” they said. “They used to spend all their time together so when she died, he was lost.

“However he found comfort in his dog called Wally. They were inseparable.”

A joiner by trade, Mr Smith had his own joinery business before working for several other firms – latterly Jackson’s Timber Yard in Whitehaven.

“Joinery was his hobby as well as his profession,” said his daughters. “He would make furniture rather than buy it and when we were young, he’d make us wooden toys.

“He thoroughly enjoyed his holidays to Florida – he went seven times. He enjoyed reading books like Stephen King and Harry Potter – he also enjoyed crosswords and spent hours watching crime stories on TV.

“He was a devoted dad, always there for us when we needed him and would always be the first person we would turn to. He always told us he loved us, making sure we knew.

“He was a grandad to two boys and a girl who he loved dearly. He was always supportive and would stand by us, even if he didn’t agree with the decisions we had made. He didn’t judge and always put others first.”

The collision which claimed Mr Smith’s life happened at 5.45pm on Tuesday near to the Oxford Street junction with Park Lane.

A 50-year-old woman from Workington, who was driving the grey Honda CR-V which collided with Mr Smith, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving without due care and attention and has since been released on bail.

Police inquiries are continuing into the incident and officers are appealing for help from the public who saw the incident.

They also want to speak to anybody who saw Mr Smith, who was wearing a long, hi-visibility yellow jacket and carrying a rucksack, attempting to cross the road at Oxford Street near to the bus station, or by Corporation Road.

Anyone with information should call the roads policing unit on 101.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk