Wayne's out-of-this world dream as his ashes are scattered in space

Wayne Smith (42), of Sandeby Drive in Ravenfield, died last December when he lost control of his beloved Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution car.

His family has teamed up with Sheffield company Sent Into Space to give him the chance of being finally laid to rest above the clouds.

Several members of Wayne’s family attended the ceremony at a scenic spot on the Longshaw Estate near Castleton in the Peak District.

His ashes were carried aloft by a high altitude balloon in a container which opened at altitude, releasing his ashes.

Sister-in-law Sam Garratty said: “We wanted it to be a positive experience.

“We wanted to look for somewhere for him to be launched from and we really liked the Longshaw Estate. It’s beautiful and the National Trust have been very good to let us do it on their land.

“It was a really sad occasion but a really happy occasion at the same time.”

Wayne Smith

Sam said the family had delayed Wayne’s space-based send-off until after an inquest into his death.

“After nearly a year Wayne is now where he wants to be, free,” she said. “For us it’s just amazing to know he is up there. It’s a fitting farewell.

“We really wanted it to be a happy event. It wasn’t formal, it was a really happy occasion. 

“A few people clapped and we just stood and watched him go forever.”

Sent Into Space, which has appeared on TV’s Dragons’ Den, has developed a mechanism to scatter the “cremains” at high altitude carried by balloon.

Wayne’s inquest found that the steelworker and father of three had died of a severe skull fracture last December after his car hit a brick wall on Hollings Lane.

His family said the keen artist and nature lover adored his Mitsubishi motor and had spent £25,000 after purchasing it.

Around 100 cars owned by people from car clubs attended his cremation.

His brother Lee described him as “a bit of a free spirit who took each day as it came”.