Selby bypass's first car crash victim had only just recovered from another horrific road accident, it emerged today.

Pensioner Bernard Williamson cheated death four years ago when his car was in a head-on crash after skidding on a patch of oil on the A19, near Burn.

He suffered two fractured legs, a punctured lung and five broken ribs.

His injuries were so severe that three surgeons had to operate on him, inserting steel pins into his smashed legs.

He spent five days in intensive care and was dubbed a "walking miracle" by nurses after walking out of hospital on crutches just six weeks later.

On Monday evening, Mr Williamson, 77, was killed when his Ford Fiesta collided with another car on the new Selby bypass.

Friends said today that Mr Williamson, 77, had only just thrown his crutches away when the latest tragedy happened.

His wife Margaret, who was in the car and is still in York Hospital, was said to be "distraught".

Mrs Williamson, a former teacher at Barlby Bridge Primary School, was also in the car involved in the crash in 2000, when she also suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. After her husband was allowed home, she told the Evening Press that his remarkable recovery had amazed both doctors and herself.

Now, recovering in hospital from the latest accident, she is trying to come to terms with the tragic loss. The couple lived in Olympia Crescent, Barlby, before moving to another part of Selby.

Tributes were paid today to Mr Williamson, a former BOCM and Rank Hovis worker, who was a member of Selby Olympia Bowling Club and a founder member of Selby Indoor Bowling Club. Club member Ian Lund said everyone at the club was "stunned" by his death.

He said: "Bernard was a quiet, caring family man who worked tirelessly for the indoor bowling club."

Former bowling club president David Reynolds said: "Bernard had just got himself right again from the first crash when Monday's accident happened.

"He was well-known and very well-liked by everybody. It has come as a great shock."

Updated: 10:00 Thursday, November 25, 2004