THE family of a 25-year-old man who died after colliding with a car on the A1(M) have paid tribute to their “shining star”

Anthony Humphreys, who used to work as a car mechanic at Blakeney Motorsport in Buntingford, was a pedestrian involved in a collision with a car on the southbound carriageway near junction 6 at around 12.25am on Sunday, August 11.

He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he died of his injuries the following day.

Mr Humphreys’ family today (Friday) paid tribute to the well-known mechanic and motorsport industry enthusiast, who lived in Stevenage.

At the age of 16, Mr Humphreys started an apprenticeship at Mantles in Biggleswade and also started working for a pick-up-truck race team on weekends, where he met his girlfriend Alex.

He then worked for Blakeney, which prepares race cars and restores vintage vehicles on the Watermill Industrial Estate, before setting up his own business with a friend and becoming co-director of Datum Motorsport – which provides racing cars to the Lotus GB championship racing series as well as other forms of motorsport.

Speaking on behalf of the family about his son, affectionately known by many as ‘Ants’, his dad Ray said: “I know all parents see their children through rose tinted glasses, but Anthony really was a hero and a shining star – he would do anything for anyone. He had achieved so much and was so focused, he worked extremely hard and we are so incredibly proud of him.

“All of his life he worked extremely hard for a career in motorsport. At one point he was one of the youngest Ford technicians in the country with such expertise. He worked on all sorts of cars – Aston Martins, Porches, Ferraris etc. He was so passionate about it. Some people, when they make a career out of a hobby, lose their passion for it – but not Anthony. He would do anything for anyone. He was a straight-up incredibly honest type of guy. He was well respected and knew where he was going.

“He achieved so much – not many people can say they set up a successful business at the age of 22. He was so grounded though and would travel miles to help someone – from people in the motorsport industry to family members – there is nothing he would not do to assist.

“He had been known to drive three hours to help people who had problems with their racing car – failure was never an option to him. He would always find a way and was incredibly positive. On Sunday, August 25, a lot of his cars were racing at Brand’s Hatch at the Lotus Festival. He will be remembered there and throughout the industry.

“He had a die-hard group of friends both from his school days and in the industry and they have all been so supportive to us since this has happened. When word got out that Anthony had been injured, many of his friends and colleagues drove from all over the country to see him and offer his family help. People have been so kind and helpful and we are extremely grateful. He was so well liked and that gives us all such comfort.

“Anthony was an incredibly special young man, he had his whole life ahead of him yet he had already packed so much in. We are incredibly proud of him. On the night he passed away there was a meteorite storm in the sky. He is a star that burned incredibly bright, always our ‘shining star’. He will be forever in our hearts and never forgotten.”

Mr Humphreys leaves behind his parents Ray and Fay, sister Gemma, brother-in-law Dave, a nephew and two nieces, his nan Shirley, girlfriend Alex, many relations and hundreds of friends.

An investigation into the cause of Mr Humphreys’ death was opened by Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court on August 14.