Christopher: '˜Dad died doing his job and helping people'

Mr Sherrard died at Altnagelvin Hospital on Tuesday, surrounded by his family, despite heroic efforts by paramedics, the police, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the surgical and emergency department staff.

“Dad ran his own business, Maiden City Regalia, and was going to Belfast to pick up fringing because a club in Scotland had just ordered 36 RBP collarettes and he had none left,” said Christopher.

“I spoke to him at 3pm, just before the crash happened at Claudy. He had been the front seat passenger in the car when the accident occurred.

“I would like to pay tribute to Paul Deeney, who was in the vehicle behind the one in which my father was a passenger and he stayed with my father until the emergency services arrived.

“Paul was able to tell us what occurred and came to the house.

“He was able to tell us that dad was unconscious,” he said.

The family learned that there had been an accident and Mr Sherrard had been critically injured in it at about 5pm on Tuesday and were able to get to the hospital to be with him when he passed.

“We want to pay tribute to the PSNI, the Fire Service and all the medical staff and the paramedics. You do not appreciate these people until this kind of thing happens.

“We are so grateful for their care.”