Motorcyclist who died was a ‘super character’

THE boss of a 32-year-old Sticklepath man who died in a crash near Follygate last Wednesday has paid tribute to him, describing him as 'a super character'

Jason McCaffrey, who had two young sons, died after his 1,000 cc Yamaha motorcycle collided with a Ford Escort at the junction of the A386 and A3072 known as Lamerton Cross.

The motorcycle enthusiast had worked at Heinz Frozen and Chilled Foods for 16 years where he started as a line operative and worked his way up to engineer.

Factory manager Paul Tomkies said: 'Jason will be sorely missed by everyone — he was a super character and in terms of the factory he was a great engineer.

'Nothing was too much trouble for Jason — he would do anything for you and it is one of the things that made him so good at his job.'

Residents in the community of Sticklepath and South Zeal, where the McCaffrey family have lived for generations, are said to be devastated over the loss.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which occurred just before 5pm.

Firefighters from Okehampton and Hatherleigh administered first aid at the scene before ambulance personnel arrived. Mr McCaffrey was flown to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the Ford Escort and her passenger, who were both from Hatherleigh, suffered minor injuries.