THE family of a man crushed to death in an horrific accident have spoken exclusively to the Observer about their tragic loss, saying: "We just want him back."
Tragedy struck when auto-electrician Clive Moss, 45, of Claremont Road, Accrington, was trapped between a 12.5 tonne coach and a parked car in a yard at Coastlinks Express on the West End Business Park in Oswaldtwistle.
He had just finished repairing the starter motor on the coach when it started rolling forward, pinning him against the car, causing multiple injuries.
Mr Moss had been an auto-electrician all his life after following in the footsteps of his late father Donald. He had worked for West End Auto Electrical on Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, for nine years and was answering a call-out from the firm, run by Steve Haydock, at around 9am on Tuesday.
Paramedics were called but there was nothing they could do. One said: "It was one of the most terrible accidents I've attended. My sympathy goes out to his family."
Police tracked down his wife Kimberley and broke the devastating news to her. She was being comforted by friends and relatives this week, including mum Edith Whalley who flew back from a holiday in Spain.
Fighting back the tears, Kimberley, 45, told the Observer: "I'm totally devastated by this. I couldn't believe it when the police told me Clive was dead.''
The couple, who share the same birthday, got married two years after they met 14 years ago.
Clive had two sons Chris, 21, and teenager Nick, and he also leaves a stepson Mark Whalley, who he "treated like his own''.
Mark, 18, said: "He brought me up since I was four and was brilliant, the best dad anyone could have had. We went to the Oaklea Club and if I was on my own people would ask me where my dad was. I always thought of him as my real dad." They also enjoyed watching football in the club as they both supported Manchester United.
Mark added: "It's a complete shock. It always happens to the nicest people. A lot of people are going to miss him."
Paul Humphries, boss of the Oaklea Club in Accrington, was a close friend of Mr Moss and best man at his wedding. He said: "He was a genuine bloke who wouldn't hurt a fly and never had a wrong word to say about anybody. He would give his last penny to help and will be sadly missed.''
Mrs Karen Hull, whose son Steven runs West End Auto Electrical with Keith Threlfall, said: "Clive was dedicated and he lived life to the full. He liked a laugh and joke. He was a hardened United supporter and we're all Rovers fans so there was a bit of friendly rivalry."
The firm, which closed after the accident, will also close on the day of the funeral as a mark of respect.
Mr Moss had also worked for Walsh and Midgley in Blackburn and Gilbraith Transport in Accrington. He was a member of Rishton Conservative Club and Rishton Workmen's Club and loved soul music, holidays with his family and socialising.
He also leaves his mum Eleanor, sisters Linda and Donna and brother Stephen.
A funeral service will take place next week at Cannon Street Baptist Church, where the couple were married, followed by burial at Great Harwood Cemetery.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
