Tributes Paid to M1 Crash Victim

20 October 2010, 11:28 | Updated: 20 October 2010, 12:13

The family of a Hertfordshire man was who killed on the M1 on Friday evening (October 15th) have paid tribute to a 'warm and loving man, who was a gentleman's gentleman.'

53-year old Derek Morgan, from Woodall Lane in Hemel Hempstead, died when his motorbike collided with a car on the northbound carriageway between junctions 5 and 6 just before 8pm.

A coach and another car, a Renault Megane, were also involved in the accident - for reasons police say are unknown.

Derek leaves behind his wife Carole, his brother Clive, and his four sisters Greer, Merle, Fay and Eleanor and sisters – in – law Tracy, Zoe and Susan, nieces, nephews and hundreds of friends and colleagues related to his wide professional and social network.

Derek was born in Guyana. His family moved to the UK in the early sixties as a result of his father being transferred and the political coup which occurred.

Derek met and married Carole while they were both working for JVC in Staples Corner where Derek was the General Manager of Sales. For the past nine years Derek has worked as a Managing Director of PEC video at their studios on Dean Street, London.

Carole said: “Derek used to ride his bike into London everyday and had done for the past nine years. He loved his bike and had recently completed a biker’s advanced safety course. He took road safety very seriously. He would also holiday abroad and in the UK on it. This year he had been to Spain and he went to Wales three weeks ago when we got back from a week in Greece.”

The couple enjoyed travelling and spent many holidays together including a trip to Las Vegas last year to celebrate a family birthday. Derek’s family and friends were a huge part of his life and he leaves a space in their lives that can never be filled.

Derek was a great support to his family and friends and was always helping someone in some way, either with practical things like DIY or emotional support. He will be sadly missed.

Carole added: “He was a gentle giant, he was a hugger and a really affectionate and loving man; often described as a genuine bloke’s bloke and as a ‘gentleman’s gentleman.’ People would always comment that he was so genuine, and if you had him as a friend, it was for life. He had time for everybody and a smile which lit up the darkest room. He really looked after people. My family loved him too and he took such care of me and my sisters and their children. This has been devastating for all of us.”

“I still cannot believe how many lives he touched. We have been inundated with phone calls and messages from the UK and worldwide, people are heartbroken, we all are, what’s left behind is the devastation and the emptiness that we all feel.”

“Derek was the centre of the world for so many people and he was a fantastic husband, he really was. He was the husband that everybody wanted. People always talk about the love of your life and he was mine. We were great planners and enjoyed sitting and making plans for our future. We planned to grow old together and that has been taken away from me now. I have lost my best friend. Words cannot describe our loss and what we are feeling. We will love him forever and we will never forget him.”