Tributes have been paid to a ‘caring and popular’ mum-of-three who died in a tragic road crash.
Samantha Higham, 44, of Clayton-le-Moors, was the pillion passenger on a red Yamaha motorbike which was involved in a collision with a Citroen Xsara Picasso on the A165 Coastal Road near Burniston, Scarborough.
She was pronounced dead at the scene and her fiancé and bike rider Brian Wilson suffered a serious leg injury.
Sam, of Redhouse Close, who previously lived in Rising Bridge and Oswaldtwistle, worked as a community support worker for the NHS helping people with learning difficulties and special needs.
She had recently started training to become a full-time nurse.
She leaves her fiancé Brian, children Matthew, 22, Thomas, 19, and nine-year-old Joshua as well as parents John and Sue Leach and brother Gareth Leach.
John, 65, said she has ‘left a massive whole in our lives’.
He told the Observer: “She was very caring and an absolute rock.
"She was my princess. She was such a lively, bubbly lady with a great sense of humour and just put everybody else, her family and anybody who wanted help, before herself.
"She was a popular lady and very well liked.
"She lived for her family and her three boys. She absolutely adored her job and couldn’t wish for a better one. She had wonderful colleagues.
“She has just left a massive hole in our lives and those of all her family, friends and colleagues.”
Retired police officer John, from Bury, said Sam was travelling back from a biking weekend when the collision happened at around 10.45am on Sunday, September 13.
John said she was also due to go on holiday to Portaventure in Spain on Wednesday.
He said: “I was in Spain at the time on holiday with a mate. I had been there a day and when I heard I flew on the next available flight back. I was distraught and shell-shocked like everybody. It’s unbelievable and still is.”
Readers have left their messages of condolence on our Facebook page.
Matty Higham said: “Rest in peace mum, sleep tight xx”. Stephen Walker said: “Rest in peace Sam. We’ll never forget you.”
A funeral service will be held at All Saint’s Church in Clayton-le-Moors on Thursday, October 1 at 11am followed by a private cremation. Police are appealing for witnesses, call 101.
Please leave your messages of condolence and tributes to Samantha.
