A driver has died nearly two weeks after crashing into a tree on an icy country road.

Joseph Forbes had been in hospital following the collision on the B2116 Albourne Road in Woodmancote, near Henfield, on Thursday, November 29.

Yesterday (December 11), Sussex Police confirmed the 61-year-old, of Church Street, West Chiltington, died on Monday, December 10.

They said officers were still investigating the collision and could not confirm the cause of the crash or whether the weather played a part.

Friends and family of Mr Forbes, believed to be a twin, paid tribute to him on Facebook.

Blackness

In a blog post, a woman, understood to be the niece of Mr Forbes, paid tribute to him. She said: “A dark, icy road. A sharp corner. A tree. Blackness.

“A week of waiting. Hope.

“Flashing lights. The beeping of machines. Hospital corridors.

“This is not what we will remember. We will remember a wedding, laughter, a matching suit and jokes.

“The wine that everyone loved, chosen by you. An afternoon tasting and asking for your judgment.

“A walk through the sunny woods. A lunchtime drink in a country pub. More jokes. More laughter.

“A day putting up a fence at the end of the garden. Sweating, swearing, laughter. More jokes. Brotherly banter that never ends, even aged 60.

“That is how you will be remembered. And that fence? It’s still here.

“Every time I walk through it I will think of you.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses to contact 101 quoting Operation Bustle or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk

See the latest news headlines from The Argus:

More news from The Argus

Follow @brightonargus

The Argus: Daily Echo on Facebook - facebook.com/southerndailyecho Like us on Facebook

The Argus: Google+ Add us to your circles on Google+