Tribute to Buxton crash victim with '˜wonderful heart'

The family of a Buxton pensioner who died after a collision with a lorry has paid tribute to a 'well-loved and well-respected' grandad, father and husband.
Harry HigtonHarry Higton
Harry Higton

Pedestrian Harry Higton, 79, died following the collision on Fairfield Road last Thursday evening, November 10.

Speaking this week, his family paid tribute to Harry’s “wonderful heart” and spoke of how “he had time for everyone in the town”.

His wife of 46 years, Pat, said: “He always saw the good in people and was a great man.”

Pat and Harry met while working at Ferodo. Harry worked as an examiner at the brake plant, but ill-health forced him to take early retirement in 1992.

He lived on Brooklands with Pat and their eldest son Martin, 42.

Harry’s youngest son Alan, 39, who has a ten-year-old daughter, Lucy, said: “Dad and Lucy share the same birthday in February, which has always been nice for both of them.”

Harry completed two years’ national service in the Royal Signals regiment, but was only ever stationed in England and his family said he spoke fondly of his time at Salisbury and Catterick.

Pat said: “He was very well-known and very respected by a lot of people in the local area. He grew up in Harpur Hill, but has lived in Buxton and worked in Chapel-en-le-Frith.”

Harry loved cricket and played for both Burbage and Whaley Bridge as a fast bowler. In his later years he played bowls in Harpur Hill and Ashwood Park.

When not engaged in sport, Harry and Pat enjoyed regular holidays to Great Yarmouth.

Family time was important to Harry and if he ever won on the horses he would always split his winnings with those closest to him.

Pat said: “We were very happily married and in love, but we had our own lives and socialised separately.

“He liked to go to the pub and have a couple of drinks. He wasn’t a big drinker, but he like to nip out and see his friends and sometimes Martin would go with him too.”

Pat said Harry’s death had come as a shock to everyone and it felt like they were “living a nightmare”, but added that the family had been overwhelmed by the support it had received.

“Everyone has been wonderful - the police, paramedics, Federal Mogul, where Alan works. Waitrose, where Martin works, even turned up with flowers and basic shopping. I can’t thank everyone enough for their kind words and cards.”

An investigation continues into the circumstances of the collision - which happened on Fairfield Road, near to the junction with Lightwood Road, at 5.45pm on November 10.

The 40-year-old lorry driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

Investigation to close A6

A stretch of the A6 in Buxton will be closed for nearly four hours tomorrow (Thursday, November 17) as part of an investigation into the fatal collision.

Fairfield Road will shut from the roundabout with Bakewell Road, up to the junction with Lightwood Road.

The closure will be in place from 8.30pm until shortly before midnight.

A signed diversion route is planned for heavy goods vehicles along the A5004 Long Hill. Local diversions will be in place for smaller vehicles.

The road is being shut to allow Derbyshire police to carry out a reconstruction of the November 10 collision.

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