TRIBUTES have flooded in for a ‘cheeky chappy’ who was ‘always smiling’ after he died riding a quad bike just minutes after buying it.
Jordon Mark Clegg, 24, of Smithies, was travelling along Frickley Bridge Lane in Brierley when he collided with a white Mercedes Sprinter van last Thursday afternoon.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement issued to the Chronicle, his mum Sue Haigh said: “Today I find myself having do do something no parent should ever do, I’m writing this in honour of my beautiful son who tragically left us far too soon.
“From the very first day I held you in my arms to seeing the fine young man you turned out to be it makes me feel so proud.
“The joy and laughter you brought into our lives will always echo loud within our hearts.
“You were the kindest, jolliest child anyone could wish to meet.
“I don’t know how I can continue this journey of heartache without you.
“I love and miss you always and forever my sweet boy.”
His auntie, Adelle Haigh, told the Chronicle he will be ‘sorely missed’ and his death had left a hole in so many people’s lives.
“He was fun, kind and generous,” she said.
“He was a bit of a cheeky chappy and everyone absolutely loved him to bits.
“Jordon was always smiling and even when he was younger he would have done absolutely anything for everyone.
“He absolutely loved his fiancee and his Alsatian Zena she was with him no matter where he went.
“It’s horrific what has happened and it’s come as a complete shock.”
Jordon had only gone to pick up the quad bike which was involved in the fatal collision just minutes before a cruel twist of fate.
“He’s left a massive hole in everyone’s life,” she added.
“He’d only just been to pick up the quad bike.
“He loved his bikes there’s going to be a bike ride in his memory on September 16.”
Adelle has created a fundraiser to help the family and his fiancee Georgia and the community rallied round to hit the target in a matter of hours.
A link to this fundraiser can be found on the Barnsley Chronicle website.
“We created it to help raise some money and pay for the funeral,” she said.
“We initially set the target for £5,000 but that’s already been hit.
“He was really popular with everyone that knew him and this shows that.
“It’s so overwhelming because of the amount of support we’ve received.
“Anything we can raise to help the family over the coming months would be great.”
Sue added: “I would like to give thanks to every single person who has sent messages of condolences and contributed to the fundraiser.
“Your generosity is overwhelming. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
On Tuesday, his closest family and friends came together to show their support in a balloon release in his memory.
“People have been going up and laying flowers for him at the site,” Adelle said.
“We had a police escort to go up there after it happened because it’s a bad road I don’t know how there’s not been more collisions on there.”
South Yorkshire Police are currently asking for any dash cam footage from witnesses to help them piece together their investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Emergency services were called at 3.39pm to Frickley Bridge Lane, Brierley, following reports that a quad bike had been involved in a collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter van.
“The rider of the quad bike, a 24-year-old Barnsley man, sadly suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next of kin were informed by officers.
“It is believed that the quad bike was travelling towards Brierley and the Mercedes van was travelling in the opposite direction at the time of the collision, but officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision.
“Motorists with dash cam footage who may have captured the collision, or either vehicle prior to the collision, are also asked to get in touch.”
