THE family of a fun-loving grandfather of two who died in a crash on the way back from a "perfect" day at the seaside have paid tribute to him.
Darren Rochford from Lower Kingswood had dusted off his motorbike for the first time in a year for the trip to Margate with family and friends.
He was riding home, accompanied by two friends on motorbikes and with his partner, children and grandchildren following behind in cars, when he crashed with the motorway central reservation and was fatally hurt.
His family were caught up in the queues behind, and, alerted to the crash by Mr Rochford's friends, were heartbreakingly looking on as emergency crews tried in vain to save his life.
Mr Rochford, 44, from Smithy Lane, had enjoyed a beautiful summer's day out along with his partner of 23 years, Tracey Peachey, his children Demi and Lewis, and his two one-year-old grandsons, Lucas and Rocky.
Miss Peachey said: "He was laughing and joking. He took Lucas down to the sea to have a paddle for the very first time. Demi and Darren were having a seaweed fight. It was a beautiful day."
Mr Rochford, who ran a business recycling scrap cars, was taken to hospital in London following the crash on the M26 on Sunday, June 30, but died that day.
A keen Crystal Palace fan and classic car enthusiast, Mr Rochford doted on his family, particularly Lucas and Rocky, born to his two children within two months of each other.
Demi, 18, said: "He was king of the party, he loved a bit of karaoke. There was one night he made me and my sister-in-law sing I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden over and over again. He started crying and said it reminded him of the grandchildren. He absolutely loved them."
Miss Peachey, who had been with Mr Rochford since she was 16, added: "He used to love having a joke with people, he would get on with everyone.
"He was very generous, very caring, he would do whatever he could to help you."
The family is organising a memorial ride to Cliftonville, Margate in memory of Mr Rochford on August 18, meeting at 7.30am at Clackett Lane services on the anti-clockwise M25. They are hoping lots of classic car owners will join them, but everyone is welcome to join the drive.
His funeral is tomorrow (Friday) at North East Surrey Crematorium in Lower Morden Lane, Morden at 4.40pm.
