Family Pay Tribute to RTC Victim

The family of a man killed in a crash in Faversham have paid tribute

A motorcyclist who died in a crash on the Graveney Road, Faversham, Wednesday, 22 September, has been named as Mike Hill.

The 60-year-old, from Faversham, was killed when the Triumph motorbike he was riding was in collision with a Honda Civic at the junction with Homestall Lane at 2.47pm.

His widow Ann Hill said his devastated family were still trying to come to terms with his death, and she paid tribute to her husband, who she described as a devoted family man who loved to socialise.

Mr Hill was born in London and began his career as an industrial chemist. He lived in Essex with his first wife Mary and their three children, Andrew, Iain and Emma, before moving to Faversham over three decades ago to join his brother-in-law Humphrey Mayes in business.

The pair ran Sittingbourne Print, which later became Statshop. Statshop was based in Station Street, Sittingbourne, until last November, when Mr Hill, the managing director, started running the business from home.

Seventeen years ago Mr Hill married his second wife Ann and became step-dad to her two children, Jen and James. He had three grandchildren, two-year-olds Eva and Tom and three-month-old Niamh.

Mr Hill was well-known in Faversham and for many years was president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Friends of Faversham Creek, Save Abbey Farm, the Faversham Club and the Faversham Society.

He enjoyed representing traders and was a long-standing and vocal opponent of pedestrianisation in Faversham, which he passionately believed would kill the town.

Mrs Hill said: “Mike loved live rock music and supported local musicians as much as he could. He also loved the local pubs and his favourite was the Three Horseshoes at Staplestreet, where he always enjoyed watching the annual wheelie bin race.

“Faversham was his adopted home and he loved the town’s villagey feel. He was very well known in the town and loved a cause, but he was also very much a family man.

“Mike regularly donated blood and once received a special award for doing so. He was also a very sociable person who loved entertaining. Cooking was a passion, as was photography. He also loved motorbikes and the freedom they gave him. There is some comfort in the fact that he died doing something he loved.”

A 62-year-old man from the Faversham area has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed to 15 January 2011 pending further enquiries.

Kent Police are still appealing for information about the crash and urge any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.