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.

Mr Pedelty added: “A lad from work has said that in all the time he had known Gary he had never heard a bad word from him.

“He said it was an absolute pleasure to know him. We will all miss him so much.”

Gary’s mother Aletia said: “Everyone who knew Gary said he was the life and soul of the party.

“Nobody who has met him will ever forget him.”

Gary leaves his siblings Jason, Sherri and Jordan.

Jordan is currently working in Australia and is securing a flight to return to the UK on Thursday.

A message left by the family along with floral tributes at the scene of the crash read: “Our gentle giant, our son the legend, the best brother ever.

“Why? Love you so much, miss you forever.

“Your heart of gold we will carry at all times, every day, every minute.

Love you Gary, mum, dad, Jason, Jordan, Sherri.”

Keith Robinson, Kirklees Divisional Commander of the West Yorkshire Fire Service, said he would attend a debriefing session for fire officers who had worked at the scene.

He said: “This is a massive tragedy for the family and our thoughts go out to them.

“The firefighters who were at that scene are human beings and they experience a difficult situation first hand.

“Their professionalism was outstanding.

“A young man has lost his life in a close community and our thoughts go out to his friends and family.”

Kirklees Police are now appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward.

A spokesman said: “At around 7.30pm on Monday a Peugeot 206 was in a collision with a Mazda 323 on Huddersfield Road, between Netherton and Meltham.

“The Peugeot had been travelling along Huddersfield Road towards Huddersfield when it was in a minor collision with a Volvo and then the Mazda which were travelling in the opposite direction, towards Meltham.

“As a result of the collision the driver of the Mazda, a 24-year old local man died at the scene. The 37-year old driver of the Peugeot was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.

“He was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and being over the limit. There were no other injuries.

“Police are now appealing for any witnesses to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047.”