'He was my world' - mum of Saltdean Ambulance crash victim (From The Argus)

'He was my world' - mum of Saltdean Ambulance crash victim

1:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

The mother of a man who was killed in an ambulance crash has said she “cannot contemplate a future without him”.

Pamela Tucker, 73, paid tribute to her son Gary Tucker, 45, who died after the car he was driving collided with a South East Coast Ambulance en route to an emergency call.

Mr Tucker, of Longridge Avenue, Saltdean, died at the scene of the collision in Marine Drive, Brighton, at 10.40pm on Thursday.

Yesterday Mrs Tucker said: “I am absolutely devastated by my loss.

“He was a wonderful, loving, kind and caring person and the best son that anyone could ever wish for. Everyone who knew him will miss him dearly. He was my world and I cannot even contemplate a future without him.”

His best friend of 22 years, Kevin James, who lives in Spain, said: “Gary was the best friend you could ever want.

“He had a wonderful, colourful personality and lived life to the full and was known by a great many people in Brighton.

“Originally a dispensing optician, he was always an entrepreneur and saved the deposit for a bungalow in Saltdean from the proceeds of homemade greetings cards sold at car boot sales.

“He left optics and became the the proprietor of the sea-front kiosks in Seaford for several years and transformed them into a regular meeting place for the local community.

“He was also a bit of a property entrepreneur, buying and renovating properties and renting them out or selling them.

“His world revolved around his mother and he loved her so much and looked after her.

“He was really funny with a great sense of humour. He was the type of person who would light up a room when he walked into it. He was so caring and kind and very loyal.

“He was due to fly here to see me here in Spain on holiday on March 11.

“The loss is all the more painful due to the tragic circumstances in which he was taken from us. He will leave a huge void in all our lives.”

Police are currently investigating the circumstances of the collision and are asking anyone who saw what happened to call 101 quoting Operation Denmark.

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