Family pay tribute to Michael Oldridge, of Stradbroke, near Eye, who died in February B1118 crash

A Suffolk father-of-three who died after a crash in Hoxne has been named by police, as his family pay tribute.

Michael Oldridge, 38, of Stradbroke, died at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on the B1118 on February 15, involving a Volkswagen T-Roc and a Kawasaki motorcycle.

Officers were called to the scene at 9.55am that day and though ambulance and fire crews were also in attendance, along with a critical care team from the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) Michael, the rider of the motorcycle, died.

In a tribute to him, his family said: “Michael was a loving partner to Jasmine for 12 years and an adoring father to his three children Oliver, Amelia and Emily, who would eagerly await his return home from work each day.

“The family is well-established in the local community in Stradbroke, where Michael had worked for the past 10 years on a pig farm.

“He was passionate about his job and would go into work on his days off to check on the animals. He was shortlisted as a finalist on two occasions for National Pig Farmer of the Year.

“Michael was dedicated to his family, spending his free time with Jasmine and the children. He was also very close with his parents Neil and Annette, his two sisters Anna-Marie and Sarah, his four nephews and two nieces - all of whom loved ‘Uncle Michael’ - and his grandparents.

“After leaving Diss High School with a full set of GCSE’s, Michael gained an apprenticeship and attended Suffolk College, where he qualified as a carpenter.

“However, a traumatic hand injury sustained at work left him unable to return to carpentry and it was at this point he changed careers and went into farming.

“Biking was Michael’s passion. He was from a family of motorcyclists, being taught to ride by his father who was an advanced rider.

“Michael was a lovely, hard-working, conscientious, family-orientated and morally-sound man, that we are so proud to call our son, brother, partner, father, grandson, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend.”

Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the collision and asking any motorists driving in the area at the time of the incident with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle to review the footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference 37/8803/24.

Either by the website https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us, emailing SCIU@norfolk.police.uk or by calling 101.