Family's tribute to 'kind' uncle after fatal crash
Family handoutThe family of a 60-year-old man who died after being hit by a van say he was "the most positive person".
Paul Smith died after being hit on Sawmills Lane in Brandon, near Durham, on Friday evening.
In a statement released through Durham Police, his family said he was "one of the last gentlemen in life".
The driver of the white Citroen Dispatch van, who stopped at the scene, was not injured in the crash.
Smith was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after the crash but later died from his injuries.
His nieces said: "Uncle Paul was one of the last gentlemen in life; he was kind, considerate, thoughtful and polite, and he always thought of others before himself.
"Uncle Paul was the most positive person ever and didn't let anything get him down."
They said Smith had a "full and happy life" and was a long-term member of Durham County Cricket Club.
"He also loved a flutter on the horseracing and a pint or a game of bingo with his friends," they said.
They said the "friend to many" would be missed by everyone who knew him and the community of Brandon.
Durham Police is investigating the crash and officers have appealed for anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact the force.
