Tributes to cyclist killed in Shropshire accident
A cyclist who died after a collision on a rural road in Shropshire was a classroom assistant in the county.
Tributes were today paid to 59-year-old John Searle, who died after the accident on the B4368 Corvedale Road about a mile east of Craven Arms on Wednesday morning. Another man in his 50s was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital with serious leg injuries.
It is understood he was injured while tending to Mr Searle.
Several vehicles were involved in the accident, and police today appealed for the driver of a 4x4 vehicle, believed to be a Suzuki Jimny to get in touch.
Mr Searle, who lived in Newington Way in Craven Arms, worked part-time at Onny Primary School in nearby Onibury and had previously worked at St George's School in Clun.
Neighbour Clive Leworthy said: "I knew him pretty well and a lot of people here were shocked and upset when they heard what had happened. He was very well known and popular, he was a really nice guy."
John Smith, who owns Station Cafe in Craven Arms, added: "John used to deliver papers to me and would sometimes pop in as a customer. He was a proper gentleman."
Police have spoken to the drivers of a red Kia Rio, a black Mercedes CLS 350, a blue Citroen C2 and a white VW Transporter van.
But Constable Gavin Williams, collision investigator for West Mercia Police, said: "It's vital we speak to everyone who may have seen Mr Searle on his bike either before the collision, or just after.
"We have traced a number of motorists who have been able to assist but we are now appealing for the driver of a dark coloured 4x4, possibly a Suzuki Jimny which was immediately in front of the red Kia Rio heading towards Diddlebury, to get in touch."
Drivers who were in Corvedale Road shortly after 8am on Wednesday are asked to call police on 101.
