Family tribute to Pulborough man killed in Bury Hill crash

Mr Gravatt, 36, lived in Moat Lane, Pulborough.

His father, Ian Gravatt, said: “Damon was our loving caring son.

“A huge gentle giant of a man with many talents, he was a brilliant clarinetist, more than proficient on the saxophone, guitar and keyboards.

“It would be fair to say there were few instruments he could not master.

“He was a good amateur dramatist, having played the lead in the recent Basingstoke A.O.S production of The Mikado.

“He had a great flair for writing children’s stories about his beloved collie dogs and got great pleasure writing plays for children to act out.

“He loved his job as a primary school teacher and would tell me that his main goal in life was to be recognised as not a good classroom teacher but as a great classroom teacher.

“Judging from the many letters he received over the years, not to mention the tear jerking tributes we have received since his passing, they all bear witness to the fact that he achieved his goal.

“Of the large number of cards of sympathy and condolence, all paying great tribute to our great son, there is one particular tribute received from the head teacher of Southway Primary School in Bognor Regis where Damon taught, which says simply – ‘Damon was a truly great teacher, well respected and liked by his colleagues and the children’ – I know Damon would class that as the highest point of all his achievements and will sleep peacefully knowing his job had been well done.

“His passing leaves a vast chasm in our lives and we can only hope that memories of his achievements will help us through this very difficult time.”

Police are still appealing for any witnesses to the collision, which took place at around 5.35pm on Wednesday, May 4, or any incidents involving the cars prior to the collision.

Mr Gravatt, who was driving a red Toyota Rav 4, was in collision with a red Ford Mondeo travelling south bound and a silver Audi travelling northbound.

He was taken to St Richard’s Hospital, in Chichester, but died as a result of his injuries.

A 49-year-old man from Chichester remains in hospital with a leg injury.

Anyone with any information should call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Manchester.