Family pay tribute to 'gentle, loving person' who died in North Dorset collision

The family of a pedestrian who died in a collision in north Dorset have paid tribute to a 'gentle loving person'.

Dorset Police received a report at 7.46pm last Thursday (6 June) of a collision on the A350 Main Road near the village of Compton Abbas involving a silver Audi TT Quattro, a grey BMW 218I and a pedestrian.

Emergency services attended and very sadly the pedestrian – 62-year-old Dean McCormack from Warminster in Wiltshire – was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger from the Audi – a man aged in his 20s – was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not believed to be serious and has since been discharged.

Mr McCormack’s partner and family have issued the following tribute:

“We are devastated to lose Dean in such a tragic way, he was taken far too early we are all heartbroken beyond belief.

“Dean shared his life with his long-term partner and their families.

“He was a quiet gentle loving person who loved nothing more than spending time in the countryside with his partner by his side visiting places that were off the beaten track, the Dorset coastline being just one of his favourite places.

“Dean was a very talented engineer who followed the same trade as his grandfather and great grandfather working in the water industry for many years until his final day.

“A passion for nice cars and motorbikes remained with him throughout his life, spending time meticulously rebuilding older bikes.

“He was an amazing artist producing many stunning pictures, he was a person whom could put his hand to many crafts but particularly anything to do with wood, he was a genuinely talented and knowledgeable person in anything he put his hand to.

“Dean’s partner families and close friends request that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.”

Officers from the Roads Policing Team are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision.

Arrests

A 19-year-old man from Shaftesbury and a man aged in his 20s from Mere in Wiltshire who were arrested on suspicion of driving offences have been released under investigation as these enquiries continue.

Sergeant Mike Burt, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “Our thoughts remain very much with the family and loved ones of Dean McCormack at this extremely difficult time.

“We owe it to them to carry out a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances of this collision and I would like to renew my appeal for any witnesses who have not already spoken to police, or anyone with relevant dashcam footage, to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240085160.