Road tragedy victim named

THE man who died in Wednesday’s accident on the notorious stretch of moorland road over Saddleworth, has been named as Derek Yates, from Oldham.

Mr Yates — known as Dez (46), of St Stephen’s Street — had collided with railings and came off the road into a field.

It is believed that Mr Yates then got out of the car and was hit by a Volkswagen Passat.

He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.

His mother Carol said: “Derek was an avid reader and, in his earlier years, an accomplished boxer and karate enthusiast.”

Mr Yates had studied at the then Oldham Tech before going to went to Huddersfield University where he studied computer science.

He recently returned to Oldham from Huddersfield.

He had also recently qualified as an electrician and was due to sit another exam in January, which would have allowed him to test and approve work done by others.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161-856 8473.