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A TROWBRIDGE mechanic who lived for motorbike scrambling has died doing what he loved.

The tragic death of Malcolm Sims after he careered into a tree at a race meet on Sunday has devastated his friends, family and colleagues.

Although still shocked and upset by the accident that killed him, everyone who knew Mr Sims is comforted by the fact he died while enjoying his favourite pastime.

The 55-year-old rider was on his 650cc Triumph Matisse bike when it left the track in fields at Yatton Keynell, near Chippenham, and hit a tree at about 3.30pm. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance was deployed to the scene but Mr Sims, from Trowbridge, was dead before it arrived.

A respected mechanic at Platinum Renault in Meridian Motor Park in North Bradley, Mr Sims had a long career in the industry, having worked previously at Oval Motor Group, now Heritage, in Westbury, and Prospect Auto Spares in Trowbridge.

Colin Webb, 56, a mechanic from Westbury, worked with him at Oval.

He said: "He was very helpful and extremely knowledgeable about British motorbikes. He had been racing for many years.

"Although he smashed up his leg in a racing accident many years ago he would never give up the motorcross.

"He died doing what he loved best."

Colleagues at Platinum, some of who went to the bike race with Malcolm, gathered on Wednesday to speak to the Wiltshire Times about their friend.

They preferred to speak collectively rather than be individually named.

One said: "We're all still feeling pretty raw. I keep expecting to hear his voice in the workshop."

Another added: "He was a great guy and easy to get along with. He was never sad, just a gentle giant who was always laughing."

A colleague said: "He was always bantering all day, calling us names and so on but he would do anything to help you if he could."

One man who went to the race said: "He loved his riding. That's what he lived and worked for. He was physically fit to do it and he would ride in most days."

Another said: "I think someone told him to have a rest instead of doing the race as he'd been competing all day but he wanted to go out, that's what he loved doing, and he died doing it."

Mr Sims leaves behind his wife Christine, daughters Donna and Alison and grandson Luke.

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9:19am Friday 2nd May 2008

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