Family pay tribute to great grandfather killed in fatal collision in Langwith

The family of a great grandfather who died in a fatal collision in Langwith have told of his keen sense of humour, kindness, and love for his family.

Keith Rodgers was found fatally injured at 4.45am on 7 December following a collision in Main Road, Langwith.

The 68-year-old’s family have today paid tribute to the former miner, who was seriously injured in a coal face collapse in 1991.

Keith and Pamela Rodgers

A statement from the family said: “With five children, 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren Keith was always kept busy. You could be sure you would find him with a child on his knee in the living room – and after his accident he was a full-time grandad which he absolutely loved.

“While he could be stubborn and a bit grumpy, he was also hugely funny and had a wicked, if sometimes inappropriate, sense of humour and could always be relied upon to bring up the most inappropriate things at the most inappropriate times.

“And while he was always there with a joke, he was also always there for anything you might have needed. He was the one we always called on if we had a problem – he was a handyman, chauffeur and gardener – plus anything else we might have required.

“He was born and bred in the area and had lived in the same house for 37 years, 34 of them with my mother Pamela with whom he shared 50 years of marriage before she died three years ago.

“We are all going to miss him immensely and the impact his death has had on us all is impossible to put into words.”

A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on police bail as enquiries continue.

Detectives remain keen to hear from any drivers who were in the area between 4am and 4.45am today to contact the force – in particular if they have dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force using any of the below methods, including reference 22*715388:

• Facebook – send us a private message to our Facebook page 
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact 
• Website – We have several crime reporting tools on our website or use our online contact form 
• Phone – call us on 101 

 You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website