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David Standing

THE family of a firefighter who was killed in a motorbike accident have spoken of the massive hole in their lives created by his death.

David Standing, 44, of Russell Street, Accrington, served with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for 16 years.

He died when his Suzuki GSXR 1000 superbike hit a fence and landed on top of him as he was riding along Quernmore Brow, close to Lancaster, at 8.15pm on Tuesday.

His sister, Christine Whittaker, 49, of Crescent Street, Accrington, said: "He will be missed by everyone. He's left a big hole in a lot of people's lives.

"My mum never liked him riding bikes. She used to say Be careful because you never know what's around the corner', and it was a corner he died on.

"It was one of his favourite roads and he'd ridden it a thousand times. We don't have a clue what went wrong. Maybe there was something in the road he swerved to avoid."

The Blackburn Rovers fan's interest in motorbikes began when he got a job as a mechanic's apprentice aged 17. He went to the Isle of Man TT races every year.

He had had a serious collision with a wall in his younger days and was hospitalised with extensive injuries to his hands, but nephew Wayne Duxbury, 23, said that apart from this, he had no other trouble with bikes.

He was born in Scotland but moved as a young boy with his mum, brother and two sisters to Accrington when his parents split.

He attended St Nicholas primary school and St Christopher's High School and then became an apprentice mechanic and a bin man before joining the fire service in 1991 aged 28. For ten years he served the community with Rawtenstall Fire Service, before moving to Hyndburn and becoming a member of blue watch.

Christine added: "He always wanted to be a firefighter and drive the engines, but he developed diabetes when he was 30, so he was never allowed."

Wayne said: "All he wanted to do was be a fire man. He was a very determined person who wouldn't be beaten."

Niece Rachel Whittaker, 19, said: "Dave loved beer, rock music, motorbikes, but most of all his children.

"We used to go camping together and I don't think I ever saw him serious. I bet when he crashed he was saying a few swear words to himself though.

"He was really cool and had plenty of mates."

Chairman of Accrington Motorcycle Club, Mick Priestley, said: "David was not a member of our club, but came along to all the events and was a good friend for 20 years."

There are plans for several club members to attend the funeral and lead a biker turn out in memory of David.

There are also plans for firefighter colleagues to pay their respect to David formally at his funeral by wearing uniforms and putting a fire apliance in the funeral cortege.

Peter Frazer, blue watch manager, said: "David was one of the more lively characters on the Watch and would often be involved in generating good humour and boosting the morale of his colleagues."

David, whow as separated from his wife, leaves behind a son Lee, 18, and daughter rebecca aged 15.

His body is currently in Lancaster and is not due to be released until Thursday following the results of a post mortem examination.

An inquest and accident report are being carried out.

3:49pm Friday 7th September 2007

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