Family’s emotional tribute to biker grandfather Brian Fairburn

Nov 5 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GRIEVING relatives have paid tribute to a ‘family man’ who was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Brian Fairburn, 62, of Ing Head, Slaithwaite, died when his Honda motorbike collided with a Ford Connect van on Saturday morning.

The father-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash on the A57 Snake Pass.

The tragedy happened as both vehicles were travelling east towards Sheffield at around 11am, near to Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance was among the emergency services called to the scene.

A section of road between the reservoir and the Royal Oak in Glossop remained closed for five hours.

Yesterday Mr Fairburn’s widow Jean Fairburn and children Paul and Nicola, 35 and 37, paid tribute to a ‘bike mad’ grandfather who ‘always put his family first’.

Mr Fairburn, who had four grandchildren, was an avid motorcyclist who rode his first motorbike aged 16.

He, son Paul and family friends would spend regular weekends riding together.

The family would often attend top motorcycle competitions including Moto GP races at Donington Park and the Isle of Man TT races.

Mr Fairburn also worked part-time as an advanced motorcycle instructor where he met regular riding partners Nigel and Heather Barraclough, of Bradley.

After leaving Salendine Nook High School, Mr Fairburn trained as an apprentice engineer at Brook Motors (now Brook Crompton), St Thomas’ Road.

He became an apprentice instructor and assistant manager and worked 40 years for the company.