Soldier was the ‘pride of Creswell’

A CRESWELL soldier described as ‘the pride of the village’ has been killed in a road accident.

Danny Crowder died when his motorbike collided with a Vauxhall Vivaro van on the A632 Moor Lane in Upper Langwith at about 5.50pm on Tuesday. He was just 24-years-old.

“He was one of the nicest people you could ever meet,” said one of his close childhood friends.

“He was a genuinely lovely person. Nobody had a bad word to say about him.”

“I’ve known him since we were younger but since he went into the army and was away a lot we kept in touch through Facebook and with texts.”

“He went into the army when he was about 18 I think. It was the only thing he ever wanted to do.”

She said that Danny, a former pupil of Meden School, was at home on leave from the army when the tragic accident happened.

“He said he was going back to Afghanistan in 11 weeks. He had done quite a few tours before in different places,” she said.

“He really enjoyed his job. It was what he had wanted to do from being just five or six-years-old. We all used to play army together when we were little.”

A local hero, she said the entire village of Creswell was proud of him and what he had achieved.

“Everybody who knew Danny or met him instantly liked him - he was just that sort of person. He was just Danny,” she said.

“You could have a laugh with him, but if you every wanted to talk to him in confidence you knew he would listen and it wouldn’t go any further.”

“He was a Creswell lad and he has made the village and his family and friends so very proud.”

Tributes have been also flooding in for Danny through Facebook.

On Wednesday Rebecca Wells wrote: “RIP Danny, you were a legend, who fought for your country, sleep tight big lad, thoughts with your family and girlfriend.”

Leanne Boardman said: “He’s a legend. Did his family,village and country proud. You had a massive impact on so many lives and will be missed. RIP Danny.”

And Ritchie Bleak Bleackley wrote: “You were a brother and a hero to everyone who knows you. For 24 years we have lived in one anothers shadow. I will be lost with out you. Sleep tight brother.”

Laura Hodgkiss added simply: “RIP Danny, such sad news.”

Derbyshire Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward and speak to them.

Anyone who saw the accident or the lead-up to it should contact the Derbyshire Police witness appeal line by calling 01773 572929.

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