North Wheatley: Tributes paid to dad who died in A620 motorbike crash

David Anthony Smith, a 29-year-old from Mansfield, was killed when his Ducati came off the road on Bank Holiday Monday 4th May.

Debbie Hannah, who had been with David for 10 years and with whom they had a five-year-old daughter, Mia-Louise, said: “He was very chilled and laid back, and he had a great sense of humour.”

“David was so easy to get on with and was so outgoing and had a lot of friends.”

“He loved watching his extreme sports and was really getting on with his Satria fighting arts, which he loved and was very passionate about.”

“When the police came to the house I was just in shock. The last week has just been a nightmare.”

“It’s just been horrible, but we’ve got a close family network here helping us through.”

The crash happened shortly before 1pm on Monday, 4th May, on the A620 near North Wheatley.

David, who worked as a panel beater for Pro Refinishing in Sutton, died in hospital in Sheffield shortly afterwards.

Debbie said she had been waiting for David to come home that day when the police came knocking at their Mansfield home with terrible news of the tragedy.

She admits that they are still trying to find out why David had been in that part of the county, but said he would often go out for a few hours on his beloved bike.

“He was into anything mechanical, he needed to know how everything worked,” added Debbie.

“His bike was like a hobby, he would often go out on it in his spare time, and then come home.”

“He used his bike in his leisure time to relax and would love spending time with his family.”

“I will miss everything about him.”

As well as Debbie and daughter Mia-Louise, he also leaves behind his parents and his two brothers and two sisters.

David grew up around the Blidworth and Mansfield area, attending Joseph Whitaker School and Queen Elizabeth’s Academy.

And he got his job at Pro Refinishing and he became best friends with the owner, Teejay Varley.

Notts Police officers are still appealing for any witnesses to the accident or anyone who may have seen David on his Ducati in the minutes beforehand on the A620.

Anyone with information is asked to call Notts Police on 101, quoting incident number 364 of 4th May.