Death-crash motorcylist is hailed a hero

Anthony Cox (32), of Wendover Drive, Aspley, was on his way to his job as a cleaner at Snape Wood Primary School when he fell from his Piaggio 125cc scooter just after 6 am on Wednesday September 9.

The accident happened on Camberley Road at its junction with Norwich Gardens, Sandhurst Road and Squires Avenue.

Mr Cox, who was single, suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.

Now his sister has described how he risked his own safety last year to prevent a possible tragedy.

Roseanna Cox (29), of Bulwell, revealed that Mr Cox saw a moving car, jumped into it and pulled on the handbrake to stop it.

This happened on the campus of Nottingham University at Highfields Park, which Mr Cox helped maintain.

Roseanna said: "We miss him. He was a hero and our best friend."

She went on to say her brother was devoted to their family.

"He would do anything for any of us, especially mum and dad," Roseanna is reported as saying.

"He would go round to see them every night at about 10.30 and make mum a hot chocolate.

"People at my work used to say he's like meals on wheels as he would turn up with my lunch!

"Our family grew up in Basford and mum's Irish, so we spent a lot of time travelling to and from Dublin."

She added: "He loved his moped. Mum did not want him to have a motorbike. His dream was to go on a Harley Davidson and make as much noise as possible. For his funeral, we are putting his coffin in a sidecar and he's going to be ridden to the church on a Harley."

Mr Cox was said to be proud of his Irish background and was well-known for organising St Patrick's Day parties.

He also leaves mum Mary (57) and dad Ray (77), brother John (35), nephew Callum (ten) and niece Cerys (three).

His funeral is to be held on Friday (September 18) at Bulwell's Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour Roman Catholic Church on Brooklyn Road at 1 pm.