John FordA TAXI driver and former county table tennis player has died after being crushed between two cars in a horrifying road smash.

John Ford, 64, had just left Glen Stores in Bradley Road, Trowbridge, and was standing behind his Toyota Carina when he was hit by a red Honda Civic, travelling towards Trowbridge, just before 7am on Wednesday.

Mr Ford, of Wellhead Lane, Westbury, suffered serious leg and head injuries and was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath for emergency surgery, but died later that morning.

Mr Ford was born and raised in Westbury and was well-known in the town as a sportsman, businessman and a keen supporter of the Heritage Centre.

A Bradley Road resident, who asked not to be named, said: "We were in bed when we heard the screech of the tyres and a bang. I have been a trained first aider for years so I went to see if I could help while my husband directed the traffic. He was conscious and responsive but obviously in a bad way. We did what we could."

His stepson, town and district councillor Russell Hawker, said: "He was a community man who went out of his way to help people. He was looking forward to retirement and this is a terrible tragedy."

Mr Ford was a carer for his disabled wife, Jeannette, who he was married to for 28 years and had two stepsons, Russell and Neil, and was a doting grandfather to Neil's two children.

He had been a driver with Alpha Taxis, in Castle Street, for the past eight years and was due to retire.

Owner Brian Scrine, said: "He was a lovely man who I had known for many years. He was conscientious and a very good worker.

"He would take an early break in the morning to go home and help his wife get up and he would finish early once a week to go and play tennis, which he loved. Everyone is obviously very upset."

Before becoming a taxi driver Mr Ford set up his own chain of sports shops, Reg Smith and Ford, in Westbury, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon, which he ran in the 1970s and 1980s.

The keen sportsman, a former junior and veteran county table tennis champion, he played in the premier division of the West Wilts Table Tennis League. He also used to play football for Westbury United and was a former secretary of the town's amateur swimming club. He played tennis for the men's second team at the Trowbridge Westbourne Club and was chairman and match secretary of the Chippenham and District Tennis League.

He and stepson, Neil, had been working on a book on the sporting history of Westbury for the past 18 months but had not yet completed it. His years of service to the community and to sport were recognised by Westbury Town Council last year when he was presented with a civic award.

After the The road was closed for more than four hours.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward and are keen to speak to the driver of a white van who was waiting to turn right into the Halfords car park on the opposite side of the road.

Anyone with information that might help police inquiries should call (01373) 827689.