Mourning gentleman John
TRIBUTES have been paid to John Holmes, the 'kind, thoughtful gentleman', who died when he was hit by a car in Brighouse while walking his dogs.
Mr Holmes, aged 75, died of his injuries at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary following the accident just yards from his home in Bradford Road on Sunday afternoon. His death has reignited calls for safety measures to be put in place on the busy A641.
Mr Holmes was principal carer for his wife, Maureen, who is said by neighbours to suffer from Alzheimer's disease. He has been described as a devoted carer who left his home only to walk his dogs and go shopping. One of the dogs died at the scene and it is believed the other is now being looked after by a relative.
Mrs Julie Rothery, who lived near Mr Holmes on Bradford Road, said: "John was an old school gentleman. He was a quiet carer and a gentle soul. As a foster carer myself, I recognised how hard he worked for his wife. He always had time for a kind word for my looked-after children when I bumped into him in Tesco and, knowing that our young son died when he was nine, he always had a kind word for me."
She said that Mr Holmes's twin brother died in Australia a few months ago and he had been unable to go to the funeral because he had to care for his wife.
In a moving poem, Mrs Rothery paid tribute to Mr Holmes's courtesy and politeness. "I never heard him complain," she said.
Mrs Rothery said she heard the collision as she arrived home on Sunday afternoon. "It was so loud I thought it must be head-on crash between two cars. My husband went to have a look and saw a man lying in the road. When I heard that the person who had been knocked down had two dogs, I immediately feared that it would be John."
Mrs Pauline Sordy, a neighbour, said that she knew John well and was horrified by his death.
"I was talking to John only a few days ago outside his house about how he was getting on. He was such a friendly man, and he worked hard looking after his wife. It's a tragic shame that this has happened so close to his home."
Ian, Pauline's husband, said the second dog which ran from the scene had been given to them on Tuesday morning after it was found hiding behind a hut.
"The dog has been to the vet and is in good condition considering what has happened to it", said Mr Sorby. "Dave Dunbar, the dog warden for the council, deserves huge credit for helping get the dog back to John's family."
Russell Livesey, of Brighouse Sports Club, said people at the club heard the impact. "There was an almighty bang. The police arrived and closed the road."
Police are now appealing for witnesses to the fatal accident which happened at 4.07pm near the junction with Russell Way. Mr Holmes was hit by a blue-coloured Volkswagen Golf travelling from the direction of Bailiff Bridge towards the centre of Brighouse as he walked towards the central refuge in the road. The refuge has now been decorated with floral tributes.
A 31-year-old man from the Huddersfield area was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on police bail. Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Halifax CID on 0845 606 0606. It is expected an inquest will be opened next week.
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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