A MAN who spent his last few days trying to help those badly affected by the floods was killed when his motorbike collided with a HGV.


Road closed near the scene of the incident. LEANNE BOLGER Mark Brian Russell Ebbs, 48, from Askam was killed on the A595 in the Greenscoe and Askam brickworks area on Tuesday while he was out riding his yellow Triumph motorbike. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 11.50am but unfortunately Mr Ebbs had suffered fatal injuries.

The family of Mr Ebbs has released a tribute, saying: “It is with great sadness that Mark has so tragically been taken from us.

“A keen motorcyclist for several years with a newly found passion for life. Mark who loved both home and work life will be sorely missed by his wife Fiona, family and friends.”

Mr Ebbs had been a member of the charity-based motorcycle club, Angry Pigs.
The scene of the accident Greenscoe on the road to Askam. Tuesday 8th December 2015 MILTON HAWORTH.

He had joined the club 18 months ago and was an active member in fundraising for local charities.

A spokesman from Angry Pigs said: “Mark was a true gentleman and he spent his last few days trying to arrange a charity fundraising event to get blankets and donations to the flood victims.

“He was a very much loved person who was always smiling. The picture that is shown of him is one of my favourites, that’s him all over. He was always full of smiles.

“He was so lovable that you couldn’t help but smile when he was about. The club won’t be the same without him.

“The entire committee was in pieces when we heard the news.

“It was a room full of hairy bikers all crying their eyes out. We are heartbroken.”

The Angry Pigs Motorcycle Club are trying to arrange a motorbike escort for the funeral of Mr Ebbs.

The spokesman said: “Within half an hour of us setting the Facebook group up it had more than 200 people joining – that just shows how respected a man he was.”

This section of the A595 is no stranger to serious road crashes.

Peter Metcalfe was left with horrific facial injuries after his bicycle collided with a stationary car in May 2013.

In December 2010 a man had to be cut free from his car after a serious collision with another vehicle and Sellafield worker, Neil Springthorpe, 40, was killed when his car collided with a tree in January 2008.

Police are requesting anyone who witnessed the collision on Tuesday, or events prior to it, to contact PC 1567 Jackson or PC 2252 Powell at Kendal Mobile Support Group on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

FOLLOW-UP ARTICLE:   Bikers line road in Askam as crash victim is laid to rest