Tributes for hit and run victim

9:33am Thursday 12th June 2008

Comments (12)   Have your say »

THE sister of a hit and run victim has spoken of her grief after the death of a biker she described as a "free spirit".

Simon Lawrence, 54, known affectionately to friends as "boot neck", was killed when his Kawasaki motorbike and a Toyota crashed, in Harvil Road, Harefield, at 11.50pm, last Wednesday, June 4.

The driver of the car fled the scene leaving Simon, a former Royal Marine, to die.

Alison Roberts, 51, his sister, from Hampshire, said: "He was a free spirit and he died doing what he loved. It's a tragic waste of a good life."

Simon, of High Street, Yiewsley, was a member of the west Middlesex Motorcycle Club, and was riding home from the Coy Carp pub, in Coppermill Lane, Harefield, after a weekly ride with other members of the group when the crash happened.

His friends, riding down the same road, found his crashed bike around ten minutes later.

Chris Holdaway, 57, of Frays Avenue, West Drayton, knew Simon for 27 years and they worked together for around 15 years at Chris' building company.

He said: "I just can't believe it, I had a phone call from one of my nephews. I must admit I did phone his mobile to find out if it was true.

"I've probably known him longer than all of them. He was a nice guy. Very reliable, kind and considerate."

Mr Holdaway said Simon was not a drinker and did not believe he was under the influence.

Police believe they have recovered the Toyota that was involved in the crash, but have made no arrests, and are appealing for witnesses.

Mrs Roberts said: "I'm an ex-police officer myself and I've dealt with many of these. They are scum because they are looking after their own skin. It's not as if they don't know what happened."

Three people have died in collisions in Harvil Road in the three years leading up to December 2007.

In the same period of time there have been 12 crashes in which someone was injured on the un-lit section of the road.

Councillor Keith Burrows, responsible for planning and transport, said Hillingdon Council had already spent more than £17,000 on traffic safety in the road and had installed lights to help people see one of its bends.

He said: "I'm sad, and my sympathy goes out to the gentleman killed on the motorbike. I'm sad when any resident is killed."

He added: "We are always trying to get money to have things done in Harvil Road because we realise that it's a problem."

Anyone with information can contact police on 020 8998 5319.