Bike-death horror of devoted family man

GRAHAM LYNE

A son watched in horror as his policeman father was killed in a motorbike accident on the Isle of Skye road in Greenfield, it has emerged.

As the Chronicle reported yesterday, off-duty Det Sgt Graham Lyne, from Chadderton, was riding his Kawasaki bike when it collided with a Vauxhall Corsa on the road to Holmfirth on Wednesday morning.

His son Joe was riding another bike behind him when the tragedy happened. His father died from head injuries at the scene.

Today, Mr Lyne’s family paid tribute to the devoted family man, describing him as a fantastic son, husband, father and grandad, known to his family as “Diddy”.

The 47-year-old detective had been with Greater Manchester Police for 24 years.

He leaves a wife Andrea, children Jennifer and Joe, grandchildren Ciaran and Charlotte, his parents Jack and Lilian, sisters Nicola and Adele and son-in-law Gary.

Andrea said: “He meant everything to me, it’s like someone has just turned a light off. He can’t be replaced.”

His parents added: “There is so much we could say, but we just can’t find the words. He was a wonderful son and we are going to miss him so very much.”

Jennifer said: “He was the reason I never had to worry. If the car broke down, he fixed it. If I needed a shelf putting up, he did it.

“His grandchildren both idolised him, especially Ciaran. He was the best, most loving, caring, unselfish person I ever met.”

Mr Lyne was based at Nexus House in Ashton where he worked on complex fraud cases. Police investigating the crash are still trying to trace the driver of a white box-style van who may hold vital information about the 11am accident.

Sgt Paul Higgins, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “We believe Graham was about to overtake the van shortly before his death and we are eager to talk to the driver.”

Any witnesses are asked to call 0161-856 8473.”