TWO Oxfordshire families have been left devastated after road crashes claimed the lives of their loved ones over the new-year period.

Tributes have been paid to Geoff Smith, 59, from Bloxham, and 52-year-old Tony Woods, from Marcham.

Driving instructor Mr Smith died on December 30 after he was hit by a reversing Ford Transit Tipper van at about 8am. It happened as he was walking towards an overturned Fiat Punto on the A4260 Oxford Road, near Steeple Aston.

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The grandfather-of-six was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but died from his injuries. The driver of the Fiat Punto suffered minor injuries.

Mr Smith’s daughter Helen Adkins, 34, described him as a “soft, loving, funny man” who loved his job.

She said: “My dad was an extremely loving husband and best friend to my mother Jen.

“He was an idol to my brother, Alan, 37, and I as our father, and the best father-in-law you could have ever have wished for. There will never be another like my dad. He was the source and our guide to life. He shall forever be missed by all.”

Family friend Rachel Prew said Mr Smith was a keyboard player in a band called Legend with her late father. She said he offered to teach her to drive as a way of paying tribute to her dad.

Oxford Mail:

Geoff Smith with his wife Jen

Ms Prew described him as “funny, laid back and kind-hearted”, adding: “The last thing I did when I saw him was give him a hug, and I am so glad I did.”

Thames Valley Police is investigating the crash. A spokesman for the force said a 55-year-old man from Bicester was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was released on bail until March 30.

It was followed by a separate incident just a day later on December 31, at about 9.40pm.

Decorator and construction foreman Mr Woods sustained severe injuries when he was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Fiesta as he cycled home along the A415 Marcham Road, between the A34 and Marcham.

The father-of-three was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with severe injuries but died the next day.

Oxford Mail:

Flowers at the roadside on the A415 Marcham to Abingdon Road, where Tony Woods, right, died on New Year’s Eve

Mr Woods, who grew up in London but had lived in Marcham for a year, had been celebrating at the White Horse pub in Abingdon but was returning home to join his mother, Daphne Ellender.

Mrs Ellender, 72, said he was “a loving son, loving brother and loving father” and had been looking forward to moving into a new home in Abingdon tomorrow.

She said: “My heart has been ripped into a million pieces.

“Anthony was a kind and good-natured person who worked hard and supported his family and his children.

“When we did not hear again from him after he left the pub, we thought nothing of it. But the next thing we knew there were sirens outside the house.

“The way this has happened is tragic and he will be greatly missed by all of us.”

Last night several floral tributes had been placed at the site of the crash. A police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made.

Officer Julie Hunt, of the serious collision investigation unit in Bicester, urged witnesses to come forward.

She added: “I would also urge anyone travelling between Abingdon and Marcham on the A415 Marcham Road in either direction between about 9.25pm and 9.45pm on New Year’s Eve, who saw a cyclist, to come forward.”

Those with information should call 101.