TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular athlete, cyclist and coach who died after colliding with a broken down van on the Oxford Bypass.

Father-of-two Peter ‘Robbo’ Roberts, 65, of Blenheim Road, Kidlington, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital following the accident near Heyford Hill on Saturday, March 14.

He never regained consciousness and died yesterday after his family agreed to switch off his life support machine.

Fellow athletics coach Allen Souch, 59, of High Street, Kidlington, described his friend of 30 years as a “fantastic” man.

He said: “Pete was a very regular and popular figure in the local athletics and cycling community.

“Despite having no motor vehicle Pete would regularly attend athletics meetings at venues many miles from home by cycling.

“He was a great friend and always put other people first. He will be sadly missed by all.”

Mr Roberts, who had worked at the Churchill Hospital, was a former coach at Oxford City Athletic Club, an original member of Kidlington Running and Athletic Club, set up in 1983, and a co-founder of Exel Gosford Athletic Club, established for junior runners in 1997.

Mr Souch added: “Peter was also an active member of Oxford City Cycling Club and had recently joined a walking club in Leicester. He loved running, but when he couldn’t run as much he took up walking.

“I asked him why he chose Leicester. He said it was because it was the best walking club.”

Alan Vincent, chairman and secretary of Oxfordshire Athletics Association, said Mr Roberts was a great asset to the athletics community in the county because he had completed a first aid course with the British Red Cross.

He said: “Peter was a super guy, very quiet and unassuming. He contributed an awful lot by turning up to provide first aid cover at events voluntarily and in all weathers.

“He was a person who encouraged young athletes a lot. He was always helpful and positive. He never made a fuss and he will be sadly missed.”

Michael Collins, chairman of Kidlington Running and Athletic Club, added: “Peter was tremendous with the junior runners. He was always very friendly and helpful.

“He was a nice, quiet man and he will be sorely missed.”

Mr Roberts is survived by wife Sue and daughters Alison, 39, and Christine, 36. A date for his funeral has yet to be set.

  • Another cyclist died on Wednesday after he was in collision with a blue Audi A3 outside the Chequers pub, on the A415 Abingdon Road, in Burcot, at about 9pm.

The 39-year-old died at the scene.

Pc Gary French said that although traffic was light at that time, there were people who might have seen the collision, or the cyclist and Audi before the accident, or who were in the Chequers.

Anyone with information should call Pc French on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.