Tributes to crash victim Robert

The impromptu tribute at a pub in Rawmarsh followed the death of 23-year-old Robert Crook.

He was returning from a night out in Sheffield at about 4am on Monday last week when his Ford Focus RS left the road in Parkgate.

That evening, friends he had made throughout his short but active life convened at the Monkwood, on Haugh Road.

Mum Dorothy said: “It was incredible. It was still too raw for us to go, but we heard that a few of his friends were planning to gather up there.

“There were mates from school, from roller hockey, and some of his friends' parents joined them.

“I think they didn’t know what to do with themselves, so this was their way of dealing with the shock and pain. Being together gave them a bit of strength.”

Fun-loving Robert, of New Meadows, Rawmarsh, was described as “the hub” of his group of friends, the one who would make sure everyone knew what was happening.

“Whether his mates were from Rawmarsh Comp, or from roller hockey or wherever, the thing was that they all knew each other through him.

“Many of them have been to see us and spent time with us since it happened. Some I’ve known since they were babies, or from when Robert started school.”

Robert—nicknamed Bean because he was 6ft 3ins tall—played roller hockey throughout his teenage years, travelling across the country with Rotherham Ravens and occasionally guesting for other teams.

His love of cars started at a very early age, and, ironically, it was always his dream to own the car he was driving when he died.

And Robert was also a keen music fan, who went to festivals up and down the UK as well as following local bands.

Best friend Simon Hartley, who plays guitar with the Monte Carlo Safe Crackers, said that their friendship led to Robert becoming their biggest fan.

“We were teaching him how to play bass and guitar,” he added. “Generally, he just loved the band scene.

“He loved coming with us to gigs, and if you could count on anyone to be there every night, it would be him.

“Rob was a typical lad and he would get up to his usual mischief. He was no angel, there’s no point pretending otherwise.

“He had a bubbly personality, he never had a bad word for anyone and never made an enemy.”

A memorial event for Robert is being planned, which will combine his three passions—music, cars and hockey.

Simon said: “I’d rather take a couple of months organising it and be able to do it properly than rush it.

“We’ll make sure we raise a good amount for Bluebell Wood, so hopefully through all this we’ll be able to help others.”

q Robert’s funeral takes place at Herringthorpe Crematorium at 2pm today.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned last Friday.