Tributes To Top Windsurfer Killed In Crash Near Chichester
9 July 2014, 16:31
A Hampshire windsurfing Olympian who was killed while out cycling made a "huge impact'' on people's lives, his brother has said.
Howard Plumb, who represented Great Britain in the Mistral event at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, suffered serious head injuries after colliding with a Honda Jazz car in Charlton, near Chichester, at about 5.15pm on Saturday.
The 42-year-old, from Emsworth who was a keen cyclist, was taken to St George's Hospital, London, by air ambulance but died on Monday morning, Sussex Police said.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out in the next few days.
Mr Plumb held national, world and European championship titles in windsurfing and represented Great Britain in the sport at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Known to friends and family as Howie, he studied at Bourne Community School in Southbourne and Chichester College of Technology before completing a degree in mechanical engineering at Portsmouth University.
He also worked as an engineer at Pall Corporation in Portsmouth, his brother Roland Plumb said.
He added: ``Howie has had a huge impact on our lives and had many great friends around the world.
``The number of messages of condolences we have received has been staggering and a testament to both his popularity and accomplishments.
``We need time to come to terms with this tragic event and would ask for privacy at this time.''
Mr Plumb was an active member of the i-Team Cycling Club and had competed at national events including the Tour of Wessex, the End to End on the Isle of Man and European races in France, Italy and Belgium.
As well as his brother, he leaves his partner, Ania, and parents Roger and Sue.
A spokesman for the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) said they were ``deeply saddened'' to learn of Mr Plumb's death.
John Derbyshire, RYA racing manager and performance director, said: ``Howard was a talented windsurfer who represented his country at the 1996 Olympics, the highest level.
``He will be remembered for his disposition which endeared him to all that he met as a genuinely likeable man, who turned his passion for competitive windsurfing into another physical sport, cycling, which he enjoyed immensely.
``Those that he touched will miss him enormously.''
A 54-year-old man from Sweden who was arrested on suspicion of driving without due care and attention has been released on bail until November 13.
Anyone with information about the collision should call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Birr or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk