Biker dad dies just weeks after pal killed in road crash (From The Bolton News)

Biker dad dies just weeks after pal killed in road crash

11:40am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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A WIDOW spoke last night about the pain of losing her husband in a motorcycle accident.

Stuart McCarthy, aged 29, died when he came off his motorbike and hit a wall in North Yorkshire.

Widow Sarah said her family had been broken by the tragedy and the close-knit Westhoughton community in which they live, was devastated. Mr McCarthy was the father of seven-year-old daughter, Katie.

In a tragic twist, his death came just 12 weeks after his close friend, 42-year-old Alan England, was involved in a fatal accident on the A682, between Gisburn and Long Preston, just a few miles away.

Mrs McCarthy, aged 33, of Townfield Road, Westhoughton, said: “Stuart was a wonderful family man and he doted on Katie. He knew so many people and had time for everyone. This has devastated the community of Westhoughton.

“We had been together for 10 years and had shared many happy times.

“This just hasn’t sunk in for any of us yet, particularly Katie. It hasn’t really hit her yet, no child should have to lose their father. She was his princess.

“He was a magnetic person and that’s why he had so many friends.

“He was a joker, always making people laugh and having fun. He will be missed by a lot of people.

Mr McCarthy died after he crashed into a wall on the B6479 in Selside, near Settle, on Thursday night.

He worked as an IT specialist in Accrington, and made a last minute decision to go biking on his Honda CBR 1000 Fireblade machine on Thursday night.

His best friend, Martin Smith, aged 46, who had known him for 13 years, said: “There are about 30 of us who regularly go biking together but this has really put things in perspective. After the funeral we are planning on getting rid of our bikes so this doesn’t happen again.

“I’m so gutted, it is like losing my right arm because we were close.”

Mr McCarthy’s father Danny, aged 57, said: “I will never be able to ride again. He was my life and I’m so proud to be his dad.

“I have been riding since I was about 13, but bikes are not what they used to be. They can go so fast and are so powerful now and it is very dangerous.”

Mr McCarthy was due to celebrate his 30th birthday next month. His funeral will take place at Howe Bridge Crematorium tomorrow at 1.30pm.

A convoy of bikers will set off from his home.

It will be their last ride in tribute to him. amanda.smith@thebolton news.co.uk