Tragedy 'shocks' speedway world

Darren Boocock and his wife Sharon met as teenagers at speedway

Tributes from the speedway community have been paid to a husband and wife from Rotherham who died on Friday in a road collision.

Darren Boocock, 40, and his wife, Sharon, 39, who were both heavily involved with Sheffield Tigers speedway team, leave a 12-year-old son, Jack.

Tigers spokesman and family friend, Neil Machin, said: "The entire speedway world is saddened and in mourning."

Darren's father, Nigel, regularly rode for the England speedway team.

According to Mr Machin, the couple were extremely well-known in speedway circles because of Nigel.

Tributes paid

Darren's uncle, Eric Boocock, is also the current Tigers manager and a former England international rider.

The couple's son was on a school trip in France and was told of his parents' death when he returned on Saturday.

Mr Machin said: "Jack is holding everyone together. Protecting his future is the prime objective for his family and friends.

"Hundreds of people have paid tribute to Darren and Sharon and we will be holding a two-minute silence at the stadium on Thursday."

The couple died when their Triumph motorcycle collided with a lorry on the A631.

South Yorkshire Police are keen to trace three male occupants of a Ford Transit flatbed vehicle who may have witnessed the collision.

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