Family pay tribute to couple killed in A458 collision
The family of a couple who died when their motorcycle was involved in a road collision in Shropshire, have paid a loving tribute, describing them as “everyone’s best friends”.
Kevin Byrne, 48, and his wife Carol, 49, of Hazelmere Estate, Rhayader, Powys, were killed when their motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car on the A458 at Rowton, Halfway House, between Shrewsbury and Welshpool shortly before 12.20pm on April 21.
Their two children, Danny and Jodie, today issued a tribute to their parents on behalf of the whole family.
They said: “Kevin and Carol weren’t just brilliant parents, son, daughter, brother, sister, aunty and uncle – they were truly everyone’s best friends. Everyone could count on them, no matter what. Nothing was ever too much trouble.”
Danny and Jodie, who are both in their twenties, spoke of their parents love of motorcycles and of attending bike shows and events. They were returning home from a rally on the day of the tragedy.
They said: “Mum and Dad always went to bike shows all around the country, up to 10 times a year and they loved it whatever the weather. Once summer was over, they would start planning next year’s events.
“They loved seeing the other bikes and bands. Dad would always come back with a trophy which he’d be so proud of. His bike was his pride and joy.”
Mr and Mrs Byrne first met as pupils of LlandrindodWellsHigh School. They married on 6 July 1985 at St Padarns Church, Llanbadarn Fawr in Crossgates. Danny and Jodie said: “Many people attended the wedding just to see whether Carol’s dress would be black but to their surprise it was white”.
Kevin, said to have worked “incredibly hard all his life”, first worked with his father Michael doing civil engineering with McFaddens in North Wales. He and his brother Mike eventually took over the business for 15 years before he joined several other companies.
Carol had a number of jobs, including working in a carpet factory and with Spar for about 15 years where she made “lots of friends who said there was never a dull moment” when with her. She also worked for Radnorshire Women’s Aid for about 10 years where colleagues described her as being “amazing and very caring.”
