A COMPANY boss from Rossendale died after his car plunged down a ravine as he returned home from work in Huddersfield.

Father-of-two Phillip Kay, 39, was due to attend his dad Maurice's 62nd birthday party on Thursday night at Nutter's Restaurant in Edenfield when the accident happened.

His wife, Vanessa, of Wolfenden Green, Waterfoot, was concerned when he failed to return home at the expected time and she alerted police.

Mrs Kay said: "It was a horrible end to his father's birthday. They were a very close family and everyone is devastated."

Mr Kay had been driving his Subaru Impreza in Rochdale Road, near Blackstone Edge, towards Littleborough.

No other vehicle was involved but police are trying to trace the woman driver of a Fiat Uno who stopped at the scene.

Mr Kay worked for more than 20 years at the family firm in Rossendale, K Supplies, setting up branches in Burnley, Rochdale and Blackburn. He left the company about three years' ago and set up K Tools, formerly Timothy Woods, of Huddersfield, with his father and brother-in-law Mick McFadden.

The company had recently relocated to Bradley Holme Mills, Huddersfield, and an official opening had been planned later this month.

He was married to Vanessa for 19 years and they have two sons Alex, 17, and Daniel, 14.

K Steels and K Supplies were founded by Mr Kay's father and his brothers, Steven and Michael. The family also owns Woodhey Engineering, Stacksteads.

Ian Brown, a director at K Supplies, said: "He was my boss for a long time and you couldn't ask for anybody nicer to work for.

"Everybody is absolutely devastated at both K Supplies and K Steels."

Mr Kay was a member of Rossendale Ski Club and he enjoyed many skiing holidays abroad. He was also a keen mountain biker. An inquest will be opened in Halifax on Tuesday.

The funeral will be on Thursday at Manchester Road Methodist Church, Haslingden, before burial at Rawtenstall Cemetery.

Donations to the Children with Heart Disorders charity may be made, care of the funeral director E & B Shufflebotham, Rawtenstall.

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