Crush death victim 'loved life'

Mrs Carnforth said her husband was her soulmate

The family of a grandfather who died in a freak accident while trying to help repair a car have paid tribute to a "person who loved life".

John Cornforth had pulled over in Billingham, and was standing behind the broken-down Ford, when his Vauxhall Vectra was hit by another vehicle.

The 66-year-old, of Braemar Road, was crushed between the parked cars and died later in hospital.

His wife Doreen described him as her "soulmate".

She said: "We had been together 42 years and had been through so much.

"John had fought cancer and two heart attacks and he still looked after me and all his family, especially his three children Julie, Ian and Emma, daughter-in-law Claire and sons in law Phil and Greg.

"His family was the most important thing in his life.

'Wonderful man'

"John and I have a two-year-old granddaughter Grace, who he loved dearly and he spent as much time as possible playing, singing and laughing with her. He was a person who loved life and all that it brought."

His son Ian described Mr Cornforth as "a wonderful man, not only a father but a friend".

Daughters Julie and Emma said his death had left a huge gap no-one would be able to fill.

The 83-year-old driver of the Citroen, which collided with Mr Cornforth's car, was taken to hospital suffering from chest pains.

Any witnesses to the crash, on the town's Wolviston Road on Friday evening, should contact Cleveland Police.