Family’s tribute to caring son
Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date published: 03 July 2009
STEPHEN JONES
Biker killed in collision was ‘cool, inspiring and unique’
A GRIEVING family has paid tribute to a caring son and an inspiring brother who died in a crash on a notorious road.
Stephen Jones (28) was killed when his Honda motorbike hit a car which was turning on a country road in Clarborough, Nottinghamshire.
The former Springhead Infant and Knowsley Junior school pupil grew up in Oldham before moving to Cambridgeshire with his mother, Karen, when he was nine or 10.
He later returned to the town for a few years.
Some of his family still live in Oldham, including his father, Roger, from Springhead.
Mr Jones described his son as the life and soul of every party and he had lots of friends.
He said: “Stephen was caring. He would not forget people’s birthdays, which young lads do not care about sometimes.
“Our Stephen was different. He would help anyone. He was a rarity and he will be sadly missed. We will never get over it.”
Stephen, who lived in Epworth, Derbyshire, was a control engineer at a power station. Interested in mechanics and electrics, he had been keen on motorbikes since the age of 14 and he had recently visited the Isle of Man to watch the TT Races.
He was believed to have been returning home from the gym when he was involved in the accident with a Ford Mondeo on the A620 just after 4pm on June 25. The 32-year-old female car driver and her 19-year-old female passenger were uninjured.
His father has visited the scene and said: “It was terrible but it did help to go and see where it happened.
“The police did a great job. Everyone who attended the scene treated him with dignity. He did not suffer. It is just a tragedy.”
Stephen leaves four brothers and sisters — Paul (34), Martin (31), Katie (23), who live in Oldham, and Rebecca (23).
His funeral will be held in Epworth next Thursday.
Younger sister Rebecca said: “Stephen was a sweetheart and a very protective brother. He was cool and I wanted to be like him, he was inspiring. He was my best friend as well as my brother. He was unique.”
Katie added: “He had a busy job but seemed to find time for everybody. He really was a great guy.”
