Tributes are being paid to a father-of-three and former soldier who died in a tragic motorway collision. Michael Holtom was 36 and from Oldham.
His family paid tribute to 'a wonderful, amazing, loving husband and father to three beautiful children'. Known as 'Mikey' to his friends, Mr Holtom was described as a 'loveable, fun, caring man who lived life to the fullest'.
He died when a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorbike he was riding was in collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter van at around 7.30am last Saturday morning at the A672's junction with the entry slip road at junction 22 of the M62, near Ripponden.
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West Yorkshire Police said the driver of the van, a 31-year-old man, was arrested on the day of the collision on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has not been named.
In an update as Mr Holtom was identified, the force said the man has now been released 'under investigation'. Enquiries are continuing and police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
In a tribute released through police, his family said: "Our beloved Michael (Mikey) sadly passed away on Saturday 16th July 2022 aged 36 years old. No words can express the heartache we as a family are going through.
"He was a wonderful amazing loving husband and father to three beautiful children. Mikey was a loveable, fun, caring man and lived life to the fullest. He would do anything for anybody.
"We will all miss your cheeky smile and big warm hugs. Life will never be the same without you. Your always in our hearts and minds and we love you forever and ever."
Mr Holtom worked at Best Food Logistics in Royton, Oldham, for 11 years. Friends revealed he served his country as a 'sapper' with the Army's Corps of Royal Engineers, including serving in Afghanistan.
A JustGiving appeal to support the family has been launched and is available here. A benefit evening, meanwhile, is also being planned for later in the year, with full details due to be announced. Tributes to Mr Holtom are also pouring in on social media.
West Yorkshire Police added in a statement: "A 31-year-old male, arrested on the day of the collision, has been released under investigation with regards to the collision.
"Detectives from the Major Collision Enquiry Team (MCET) continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision, or anyone who had CCTV or Dashcam footage, to come forwards. Information can be given to MCET on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat and quoting Log 413 16/07/202."
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