Tributes paid to young Epworth chef killed in A161 crash near Crowle

Tributes have been paid to a junior chef from Epworth who died in a crash on the A161 near Crowle at the weekend.

Richard Crookes, 19, of Epworth, was pronounced dead at the scene after the car left the road on the A161 near Crowle and came to rest against an outbuilding at Little Hirst Farm.

The incident happened at about 3.20am on Sunday, September 16.

His passenger, a 20-year-old man from Epworth, was in the front passenger seat and sustained facial injuries.

BLINDS & CURTAINS MADE 2 MEASURE WE COVER SCUNTHORPE & GRIMSBY...

Grimsby Sunblinds

View details

Print voucher

Have a look at our website and view our fantastic new blinds! then you could book a free home visit were we show you more samples and help you choose your new blinds.www.grimsby-sunblinds.co.uk

Contact: 01472 809887

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

Mr Crookes worked as a chef at the Reindeer Inn on Thorne Road in Sandtoft.

Landlord Derek Parker said his death was a “great loss”.

“Richard was a good worker and got his head down,” he said.

“His death is a sad loss to us all. You’ve got to admire the lad, for he used to walk from Epworth to work and back again – for a young lad it shows how dedicated he was.

“Jan, my wife, only sat him down last week to tell him how pleased she was with him.

“He worked his shift on Saturday night and I took him home because he said he was going to walk.

“He was buzzing in the back of the van about how he was enjoying learning but that it was a lot to take in.

“I told him it had taken our experienced chef Ryan a long time to become head chef, who is 4*, so he was very fortunate to be working underneath him. He will be sadly missed.”

Landlady Jan Parker added: “Last month, Richard had been working with our new chef Hammish.

“He got excited about the new food the chef was doing. It was a different style of cooking and he was really excited and wanted to learn.

“He was quiet-ish at work and kept his private life private, but a few of the young ones in the kitchen had a good rapport with him.”

The funeral of Mr Crookes will be held on Monday, October 1. He will be cremated at Scunthorpe’s Woodlands Crematorium at 2pm.

The funeral hearse and procession will arrive at the family home in Epworth at 1pm and it will drive past the Reindeer Inn before departing to Scunthorpe.

The wake will be held at Reindeer Pub from 3.30pm.

The family are believed to be looking at getting a headstone to put up at Epworth church.

Police are investigating the incident and are seeking witnesses.

Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call them on 101, referring to log 143 of September 16.

Family tributes to Richard appear in this week's Scunthorpe Telegraph.