Yorkshire cricketer killed in New Zealand road accident
A British cricketer from Yorkshire has been killed in a road accident in New Zealand. Jamie Spence, 28, died on April 29 following a collision between two vehicles on State Highway 1 in the North Island, reports BritPanorama.
A French national, Raphael Jean-Gabriel Roellinger, 22, also lost his life in the same incident. The fatal collision occurred when a vehicle attempted an overtaking manoeuvre and narrowly missed a truck and trailer unit at Tar Hill near Kinleith, in the central part of the island.
Spence’s cricket club in Hull, Hull Strikers, has since paid tribute to their player, describing his love for the sport as something that brought life to the team. The side described Spence as “our youngest, yet one of the most energetic, fun-loving, and passionate souls on and off the field” and said he “left a void that can never truly be filled”.
“This victory is for you,” the team wrote. “There is no better tribute than giving everything out there, just like you always did.”
The Bengal Brothers Social Club also released a statement following the 28-year-old’s tragic death. “The Bengal Brothers Social Club joins in mourning this heartbreaking loss,” they wrote. “His warmth, humility, and genuine nature touched many lives, and his absence will be felt far beyond the boundary ropes.”
In moments like these, words fall short, but memories of his laughter, dedication, and friendship will remain forever. The club said Spence’s dedication to cricket made him a key figure within the Strikers squad, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant as his spirit.
