Tributes to ‘one of life’s good guys’

Dad-of-one Peter Dodd, affectionately known as ‘Jelly’ and ‘Doddy’ to his friends, suffered serious internal injuries in a crash on Yeadon Way, Blackpool on Wednesday.

He was travelling out of Blackpool in his Renault Clio when he was involved in a collision with first a Peugeot 207 and then an Alfa Romeo saloon, both travelling in the opposite direction.

The 50-year-old, of Ribble Road, central Blackpool was taken to Royal Preston Hospital but, despite medics’ best efforts, died at 5pm on Thursday.

Colleagues at Northern Security, where Mr Dodd worked as an operations manager for 20 years, said they were devastated by the news.

Tommy Baldwin, human resources manager at Northern Security said: “It’s absolutey devastating.

“Pete was one of life’s good guys.

“He was a genuinely lovely person who would do anything for anyone.

“He had worked for us for 20 years, working his way up from the doors to running teams of security staff from the office.

“During his career ‘Doddy’ had worked on pretty much all the doors of all of Blackpool and St Annes’ late night venues.

“He has a young son. “He was also a keen rugby player. Big Pete will be missed by everyone who knew him, he has left a big hole to fill.”

Police said the accident took place close to the Ashworth Road roundabout at around 1pm.

The occupants of the Alfa Romeo, a 36-year-old man and his wife from Coventry were also taken to Royal Preston Hospital. However neither were seriously injured.

The driver of the Peugeot and his wife escaped unhurt.

Rugby lover Mr Dodd was a youth coach at Fleetwood Rugby Club and known to all at the club as a “gentle giant”.

Colin Goodwin, a spokesman for the club, said: “Pete was a stalwart of Fleetwood Rugby Club and had been a member for more than 25 years.

“In his younger days he was a second row forward for Fylde Rugby Club but in his later years he enjoyed playing in veteran teams and coaching the younger ones.

“Jelly was a gentle giant. He was 6ft 4ins and 26st, he was larger than life in almost every way. This summer just gone he ran the summer school. He coached almost 200 kids.

“The children loved him so much he planned to run the five week summer school again next year.

“I have spoken to his 16-year-old son James and he is obviously devastated but is holding up as well as can be.

“Jelly will be missed by everyone who knew him.”

Mr Dodd also worked regularly at Ribby Hall Village as security guard contracted through Northern Security.

Daniel Tomlinson, posted on Fleetwood Rugby Club’s website: “Many great memories of ‘Jelly’, a big presence at the club. Will be sadly missed. Hardest tackle of my life trying to bring jelly down. RIP big man.”

Clare Amor, added: “Good friend for many years, heart of gold, sadly missed.”

Sheryl Fairbrother, said: “So sorry to hear this sad news. A very kind and generous man. Thoughts are with your family. R.I.P Jelly.”

Other tributes flooded social networking site Facebook.

Ben Holland, who used to work with Peter at the old NTK bar, on Bank Hey Street, posted: “RIP Peter.. You will be missed big guy! Thoughts go out to his family at this time!”

Mark Swindells, added: “Shocked RIP Peter Dodd. Great friend will be sadly missed.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward and contact them.

Sergeant Adam Lloyd from the Road Policing Unit said: “I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and who witnessed the collision on Thursday to come forward and contact us.

“In particular I would urge anyone who has been following the Clio out of Blackpool on Yeadon Way prior to the collision to contact us.

“We have specially trained officers supporting Mr Dodd’s family at this very sad time.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.