Family of Meltham death crash victim Gary Pedelty pay tribute to their 'gentle giant'
Nov 24 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Devastated meltham family mourns the loss of son, Gary Pedelty
A FAMILY was last night mourning the senseless loss of a loved one in an horrific crash.
Meltham’s Gary Pedelty, 24, was killed in a road traffic collision on Monday night on Huddersfield Road, between Netherton and Meltham.
He died when his Mazda 323 was hit head on by a Peugeot 206, which had first clipped a Volvo.
The driver of the Peugeot has been arrested by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and being over the drink-drive limit.
Last night he remained in hospital with injuries sustained in the crash.
A towering 6ft 8in, Gary was a respected sportsman, a member of Meltham All Blacks amateur rugby league side alongside his brother Jason.
He had also toured Australia, playing Rugby League with the Army.
The former Honley High School pupil had served in the 3rd Yorkshire Regiment and had seen action in a gruelling tour of Iraq.
He worked with his father Kevin Pedelty at Illingworth and Gregory as a plasterer.
Mr Pedelty told the Examiner: “So many people know Gary. Comments have been left on his brother Jordan’s Facebook page and they’ve called him a ‘true legend’.
“There are hundreds of messages and it’s a tribute to just how popular he was.
“We’ve just got back from the hospital where we’ve had to identify his body. As anyone can imagine it’s been harrowing and we are devastated.
“On Monday we had finished working together. We’re both insured on the same car so he said he was going to go to B&Q to pick up some tools for plastering.
“He was on his way back, driving nice and steady, doing nothing wrong.
“We’ve been told the Peugeot has come around the corner and clipped the Volvo.
“He’s then gone head on into Gary’s car.
“Gary’s driving has been totally vindicated and the police have been clear he is not at fault. The officers stressed that to us over and over again.
“Apparently the driver of the Peugeot has three broken ribs and a fractured eye socket.”
The Pedelty family has been inundated with messages from well-wishers who wanted to remember their son and pay their respects.
DID you know Gary Pedelty? Would you like to pay tribute to him? If so please leave your message in our comments box below.
