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Worldwide tributes to Driffield crash victim biker Chris Benn - see tomorrow's Driffield Times for funeral report and photographs
TRIBUTES have been pouring in from all over the world following the death of a Driffield motorcyclist in a collision near Whitby.
Christopher Neil Benn, 51, of Middle Street North was fatally injured on the A174, just north of Hinderwell, after the Yamaha bike he was riding was involved in a collision with three scooters.
Mr Benn's death last Wednesday has shocked family and friends.
Many bikers from across the world have been leaving tributes on a motorbiking website.
And friends closer to home have spoken of their loss.
Dave Smith, of Middle Street North described his close friend of over 20 years as a "wonderful" man who "lived life to the full".
"He was a top bloke. He didn't have any enemies and he wouldn't have a bad word for anybody. He had lots of friends from diverse groups and he had lots of different social circles. There are friends cropping up from all walks of life and there have been tributes from Hawaii, Malaysia, Singapore and Scotland," Mr Smith said.
Mr Benn stored his motorbike in a workshop behind Mr Smith's shop on Middle Street North.
"As far as we were concerned he was one of the family because he kept his bike here and he was a neighbour. If we didn't see him for a couple of days we would start to wonder where he was," he added.
Mr Smith said he was the last person to speak to Mr Benn before he took his bike out for a pleasure trip from Driffield to Whitby and he was in a good mood as usual.
"He was making the most of the unseasonably good weather before taking his bike off the road for the winter," Mr Smith said. "He had been into motorbikes for as long as I had known him. He had only owned one car in his life and that was by accident because I think his dad gave it to him. He was always a biker, he only drove for business, not pleasure."
Mr Smith said he would be sorely missed and was well regarded in his profession as a domestic appliances engineer.
Anjanette Mills, of MJ Booth Electric said Mr Benn worked for her father Maurice Booth for nine years.
"He was a really, really nice guy. To be honest when I found out last week I was really upset," Mrs Mills said.
Chris Dean, of York Road, said he and his wife Di Dean had known Mr Benn for around 15 years and he was shocked to learn of his death.
"We were all out for a meal last Saturday night for my birthday. He was in very good spirits," he said. "I was shocked to hear the news as were all his friends."
The funeral was held at Octon Crematorium. Family flowers only and donations in lieu of flowers are to be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Two 17-year old male motor scooter riders from Saltburn and a 23-year old male scooter rider from Beverley were arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision or any of the vehicles prior to the collision to contact traffic sergeant Pete Wood of the Scarborough Road Policing Group on 0845 6060247 quoting reference number 12090187187.
•Tributes to Mr Benn have been pouring in from all over the world via bikers website EXUP1000.
Site administrator ‘Stig’ has described Mr Benn as a top bloke, very knowledgeable and always willing to assist others. “He'll leave a big space on the forum and will be missed by all. Sincere condolences go to his family and friends from everyone at EXUP1000. Words can’t express how I feel personally about this.”
‘Nuggitt’ from Paxos, Greece said he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Mr Benn’s death, adding: “I never got to meet Chris but I was in contact with him. My last message to him was on the 27th October. He’d sent me some bolts for my FZR which as I write are on their way. When I receive them it will be all the more poignant because I will not be able to thank him for them.”
Georg, from Jyvaskyla, Finland has described Chris as a “top bloke” and a “very helpful guy,” adding: “Very sad in every way.”
To read the tributes in full go to http://tinyurl.com/yelmb4r.
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Weather for Driffield
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: East
