Irreplaceable

ALAN Chamberlain with his sons Harry (centre) and Zac

Family’s moving tribute to dad of five who died saving son Zac,8, in coach tragedy

THE family of a hero dad who is thought to have died trying to save his son have described him as irreplaceable.

Alan Chamberlain (57) died when he was run over by a coach at Saddleworth’s Whit Friday Band Contests.

Eyewitnesses say the brass band fan was trying to push his eight-year-old son Zac out of the path of the Selway’s coach in Chew Valley Road, Greenfield, just before 10pm.

The pair were dragged under the vehicle, but Zac escaped with minor injuries. His father died in the early hours of Saturday.

Alan, who was born in bred in Mossley, had moved to Hyde.

He leaves his wife, Tracey, and five sons: Stephen (33), Adam (31) and James (25), from his first marriage to Susan, and Zac (8), and Harry (2) with Tracey. He also had two stepchildren, Anthony (21) and Roxanne (18), and three grandchildren.

A tribute from his family said: “His death has left a hole in many, many lives.

“Alan was an incredibly sociable man, who made friends wherever he went. He had a fantastic sense of humour. His family agree that one of his biggest attributes was his dislike of injustice and his determination to always stand up for the underdog.

“Following a stroke in 2006, Alan was unable to work, but prior to this he worked as a driver for a local conservatory company — a job that he loved.

“He sat on the committee of Micklehurst Liberal Club and had many interests, including darts, bingo, cricket and not forgetting Manchester United!

“His wife Tracy laughs about his dismay at finding out that his new local pub in Hyde was a ‘Manchester City’ pub. In addition to brass bands he also enjoyed karaoke and was described as Mossley’s very own Matt Monro.”

Tracy added: “Although Alan died long before his time, we keep reminding ourselves that he spent his last day doing things that made him happy.

“He spent it with his family, watching brass bands and enjoying a cigarette and a drink. He even had meat and potato pie for his tea, which he loved — he said how good it was.

“Words can’t begin to describe how much we loved him and how much he will be missed.

“He meant so much to so many people, as a husband, dad, granddad, brother, uncle and friend. He is irreplaceable.

“He’s gone home now to be with his mam Sally and brother Stephen and we know they’ll be sat up there having a natter and a game of bingo.”

Traffic police are appealing to any witnesses or anyone with video footage to call 0161-856 8473.