Taxi Driver Online

THE partner of a doting dad killed in a car crash has paid tribute to the man “who lived for his kids”.

Michael Pollard, 42, was driving his Mazda MX5 convertible along the B1339 near Howick, Northumberland, on Sunday when it veered off the road into a barrier. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Last night, his partner of 24-years Angela Richardson told the Chronicle how the horrific accident has left their two daughters, Ashley, 18, and Emily, eight, without their lovable “big teddy bear” dad.

Angela, 42, said: “He lived for his kids, he loved them to bits. Emily idolised him and so did Ashley, all the family loved him.”

Michael, of Birtley, Gateshead, was enjoying an afternoon coastal drive followed by two other cars containing his brother, brother-in-law and a friend when the tragedy struck.

Mystery still surrounds how his car came to leave the road and Angela is now backing a police appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time to get in touch. Full-time mam Angela said: “Before he left he was really looking forward to the drive and I was getting ready to take my little girl out for a few hours.”

But just hours later Angela received an unexpected visit from Michael’s brother, Steven.

“I was just on my way out the door and I saw him pull up,” she said. “He came in, told Emily to go in the living room and then he told me Mickey had been in an accident.”

Angela doesn’t know much about what happened, but has praised the efforts made to try and save Michael’s life.

She said: “His brother-in-law Craig got him in the recovery position and two nurses that were driving by stopped and helped until the ambulance came. He had been up to Alnwick a few times so he knew the roads and was a really safe driver.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Motor patrol officers are appealing for anyone who may have been travelling in the area on Sunday and may have witnessed the collision to contact them. They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen three Mazda sports cars in the area prior to the collision to contact them.”

Anyone with information should call 0345 604 3043 ext 69191.

Source: Chronicle Live

Mick was of course one of the pioneers of online taxi forums and he and others involved in a former forum - primarily founder Alan Foster - provided the inspiration for TDO.

Mick drove in the Gateshead trade for around 20 years. He worked tirelessly as a trade representative and also became an associate lecturer at Gateshead college delivering courses for the betterment of the trade.

For tributes from TDO members please visit this thread.

It's clear that Mick will be very sorely missed.

_________________
IDFIMH

R.I.P Mick

Never knew you or of you, always bad when someone of profile dies in the trade, just buried one ourselves last week, another good man and not 60 years of age, cancer.