The family of a Bradford on Avon man who died following a collision while cycling have paid tribute to his adventurous spirit and lifelong commitment to helping others.
John Lyttle died in hospital aged 67 on Friday 10 July – ten days after he was involved in a collision with a van in Atworth, near Melksham.
Paying tribute, his family described John as “a deeply adventurous, loving, and kind man” who devoted his life to his family, faith and helping those in need.
They said: “John was a deeply adventurous, loving, and kind man. He wore many proud titles in his life: he was a husband, a brother, a father to four, a step-father to one, and a grandfather to four.
“He had such a massive heart and was truly the life of so many people. No matter what, John was always there for every single member of his family, bringing warmth and joy to all of us.”
They added: “John lived his life at the absolute peak of his fitness, bursting with energy and a passion for freedom and the great outdoors. Whether he was covering hundreds of miles on his bicycle every month or setting off on his motorbike, he loved the freedom of the open road.
“He was a true explorer at heart – happiest when he was climbing mountain tops, taking every opportunity to explore the UK and countries abroad, or traveling to see his favourite bands at live music concerts. He knew how to embrace life to the absolute fullest.”
The family said John dedicated much of his life to the medical industry and was a valued member of his local church. They said his faith guided him throughout his life and inspired him to regularly help feed homeless people in Trowbridge.
They said: “Throughout his entire life, John’s true calling was helping others. He dedicated most of his life to the medical industry. His faith was his anchor, and he was a vital pillar of our local church – always ready to offer a listening ear, gentle guidance, or a helping hand to anyone who asked. John didn’t just talk about kindness; he lived it, regularly stepping out onto the streets of Trowbridge to help feed the homeless.”
Reflecting on his death, the family said his loss had left “a deep, painful emptiness” and urged others to cherish time with their loved ones.
They said: “John was taken from us far too soon. Following his accident at the age of 66, he fought bravely for nine days, officially marking his 67th birthday before passing away on July 10th. His sudden loss leaves a deep, painful emptiness within us, and serves as a profound reminder: always cherish every single moment you have with your loved ones, because it can all be taken away so incredibly fast.”
The family also revealed that John was an organ donor and said three families benefited from his final act of generosity.
They said: “Yet, even in his final hours, his profound kindness did not stop. John was an organ donor. On the morning of July 10th, three separate families had their lives changed forever because John gave their loved ones the ultimate gift: the chance to live longer. Even in our deepest grief, we are immensely proud that John’s final act on this earth was to give life to others.”
They thanked members of the public who stopped to help after the collision, as well as the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance and staff at Southmead Hospital.
They said: “As a family, we want to extend our deepest, eternal gratitude to everyone who gave John every possible chance after his accident. We thank the strangers on the scene who went completely out of their way to perform CPR on an individual they had never met.
“We thank the incredible team at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity – who are truly the angels of our skies. And finally, we thank every single member of the staff at Southmead Hospital. It brings us immense comfort to know that John was given the absolute best chance of survival by people who didn’t even know him, and for that, we are forever grateful.”
The tribute concluded: “John, your adventurous spirit and giant heart live on in our memories. While we navigate this deep emptiness you left behind, we will honour you by living fully and loving one another just as you did. Rest in peace.”
