Tributes to 72 year old Doncaster smash victim

The 72-year-old Conisbrough man, who has been named on social media as John Thompson, died after his green Toyota Corolla and a white Vauxhall Corsa were involved in a head-on smash with a black Audi A4 travelling in the opposite direction.

The 31-year-old man who was driving the Audi has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen and driving while unfit through drink and drugs after the tragedy on Doncaster Road, Mexborough.

Floral tributes were left at the scene on Bambury Bridge and online tributes have flooded in.

Mr Thompson’s niece, Shauna Hughes, paid tribute to her uncle on Facebook, describing the death as ‘heartbreaking’.

She said: “Uncle John. the man with the best, most contagious laugh ever, would always be able to cheer you up in five minutes.

“A very loving, kind-hearted man.”

Another niece, Jayne Heather Hughes, wrote: “RIP Uncle John. Such a great man with a warm heart and an infectious laugh.”

Wayne Ewen added on Facebook: “Such a shame, he was always a lovely bloke, always had time for people and got along with everyone. Another good one gone.”

The crash was reported to emergency services at 10.20am on Sunday.

Mr Thompson was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A 34-year-old man travelling as a passenger in the Audi suffered serious spinal injuries and was taken to the Northern General Hospital.

Another passenger, an 18-year-old man, was also injured.

A 41-year-old Mexborough man driving the Corsa also involved in the smash escaped with slight injuries.

The latest incident brings the death toll on Doncaster’s roads to 16 since November.

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint said: “The road casualty figures in Doncaster are truly alarming. Almost every month, there is another serious accident.

“Doncaster has not seen the year-by-year improvements in road safety in the last 15 years that many areas in the UK have seen.

“It is time we had a comprehensive review of speed limits that allows the community a big say in the limits in their neighbourhood.”

n Witnesses are asked to call police on 101.