Heartbroken fiancee speaks of Coseley crash victim Martin Brown
The grief-stricken fiancee of tragic Coseley motorcyclist Martin Brown today spoke of how they fell in love "at first sight" and planned to wed.
Rachel Turner said Mr Brown, a well- loved father and stepfather, was very popular and had a knack of becoming best friends within a minute of meeting someone.
The keen motorcyclist, aged 46, died when his black Suzuki GSXR 1000 was in collision with a silver Ford Puma in Birmingham New Road, Coseley, on Tuesday night.
He was on his way to meet a friend when tragedy struck.
Rachel, speaking at the couple's home in Flavell Avenue, Coseley, said she had not so far been able to tell their two-and-a-half-year-old son, Casey, that his father had died.
She added that her own children, Kurtis, aged 23, Rhys, 25, and Lewis, 16, were "devastated" at his loss.
"We got engaged on September 26 and were going to get married as soon as we had enough money," said Rachel.
"Casey looks just like him – but I've not been able to tell him what has happened. I'm not sure he'll understand."
She spoke about how, after they met, Mr Brown kept asking her to get together with him for a coffee.
"When we eventually did go out for the first time it was love at first sight," said Rachel. She added: "Martin was very popular. He'd only have to go in the street and he'd make best friends with anyone within a minute."
Mr Brown's daughter, Shadine, said his other children were Isha, 30, Simeon, 29, and Tobias, 24, who were from his relationship with ex-wife Patricia.
Shadine added that her father was a "funny man" who had always had a smile for everyone.
He worked as a locksmith and had been passionate about motorcycles for many years, she said.
"We are all devastated by his death at so young an age," she said.
Motorcyclist friend Dan Dean, aged 23, a graphic designer from Dudley, said: "Martin was really nice – he was down to earth, a happy go lucky guy, and we'll miss him."