'Brilliant husband' died after caravan site crash

The wife of a man who died two weeks after a crash on a caravan site has remembered him as a "brilliant husband".

In a tribute to her partner of 40 years, Pauline Ratcliffe said husband Dave, also a "brilliant grandfather and stepfather", was a "quiet man" who "loved his caravan".

The 81-year-old from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was struck by a car on a site at Whitchurch in Shropshire in April.

West Mercia Police said a 13-year-old girl and a man of 48 remained on police bail while the crash was under investigation.

According to the tribute issued by police, the couple had been going to the site in Whitchurch for three years.

"This was meant to be our last year in the caravan ending in October," said Pauline Ratcliffe, who was also hurt in the incident.

She said they had met in Lichfield, running pubs and a caravan site together, while her husband had also worked for the prison service. They had spent most of their time together in and out of work.

"After we finished running the pubs and site, we became dog sitters looking after other people's dogs while they went away.

"We did everything together. Nothing was too much for Dave, he would help anyone who needed it, friends and neighbours. He was a real handyman."

The grandfather was critically injured in the incident, which happened at about 10:45 BST on Saturday 25 April.

He died more than a fortnight later on 11 May.

In an appeal after the crash, PC Mark Hobden said: "We know there were a number of people in and around the caravan park at the time, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or seen the vehicle involved beforehand.

"Even the smallest piece of information could help us build a clearer picture of the circumstances leading up to the incident."

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