A man killed in crash with a lorry in Salisbury city centre has been named as a ‘legend’ in a heartfelt tribute by his niece.
64-year-old Fred Dray was seriously injured in a road traffic collision in Fisherton Street on at around 10.45am on Tuesday (28 October).
Members of the public and emergency services rushed to his aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
His niece Danielle said that Fred had been to the betting shop Ladbrokes, described as ‘one of his favourite places’, moments before the fatal crash.
In a tribute on social media, she wrote: ‘It is with such a heavy heart that I’m making this post. My uncle Fred Dray has passed away after being hit by a lorry.
‘He’d been in the bookies Ladbrokes one of his favourite places just before this tragedy happened!
‘Uncle Fred loved his family he was such a big part of mine and my children’s life and he was loved, he will be certainly missed. The monthly visits, our Sunday phone calls, and my daily letters!
‘As a family we are just in shock that this has happened, after everything he has been through in his life.
‘Born with an abnormal curvature of the spin (hunch back) and [severe] learning difficulties my uncle Fred lived a full life, worked every single day, and traveled the world he saw it all.
‘Until his health took a turn for worse a few years ago with multiple heart attacks, he had a [tracheostomy] fitted and a night nurse and still lived life to the full as best as he could.
‘You were a legend uncle Fred may your now rest in peace.’
Wiltshire Police have launched a probe into what happened – with a full-scale forensic collision investigation carried out in the hours after the fatal incident.
A spokesperson called on witnesses to get in touch with the force.
They said: “Any witnesses to the collision or anyone who may have dashcam footage is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01225 694597 quoting log 76 of today’s date (28/10) or email [email protected].”
