The family of a much-loved Basingstoke dad who died after a tree fell on his car has paid tribute to him at an inquest.

Mohammad Reza Mirza-Ghaderi, of Pack Lane, Basingstoke, died on October 19, 2021, when a large tree fell and landed on his car. The incident occurred on the A33 at Sherfield-on-Loddon.

At an inquest on Monday, June 6, his family said Mr Mirza-Ghaderi, who was known as Barry by his loved ones, was a social man who loved Basingstoke.

His wife Patricia said: "Barry was a social bloke and was very chatty. He even knew the postman’s name.

“We moved to Basingstoke in February [2021], and so we were new to the area.

"With my health, we needed a bungalow, and Basingstoke looked like a nice place. Although we hadn’t really explored the area that much Barry loved it during the small amount of time we were there. He was an active person.”

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Mr Mirza-Ghaderi’s three daughters – Francesca, Jasmine and Michaela – who also attended the inquest said their dad was a huge football fan who played five-a-side football every Tuesday. He was also an Arsenal supporter and had been to matches in North London.

Mr Mirza-Ghaderi was travelling alone via Sherfield-on-Loddon on October 19 when a large tree fell from the nearside and landed on his vehicle.

Assistant coroner Rachel Spearing read a witness statement from Bob Griffiths, a passer-by.

Mr Griffiths was travelling in his car in the opposite direction when he saw the incident. He immediately alerted the emergency services, who arrived at 10.01pm, however Mr Mirza-Ghaderi had already died.

Police Constable James Hall, who also attended the scene, said it was dark and stormy weather when the incident happened. He obtained dashcam footage from the car which showed Mr Mirza-Ghaderi could do nothing to avoid the tree.

Pathologist Dr Benita Faria, who conducted the post-mortem and toxicology, said Mr Mirza-Ghaderi died because of injuries caused by the sudden impact.

  • For help or support with bereavement in or around Basingstoke, contact charity Cruse on 0808 808 1677 or go to cruse.org.uk