Head on collision kills former local stalwart

A motorcyclist who died in a head-on crash on the M20 has been identified as a former Bushey resident. Michael Copleston, 60, spent 19 years in Bushey Heath but moved to Hawkinge, Kent. He had worked for the Metropolitan Police for 32 years and was an advanced motorcycle and car instructor who trained other officers in road safety. The driver of the car was an 85-year-old man who had u-turned on the M20 having joined at junction 10, travelling initially in the correct direction before travelling the wrong way for two miles before crashing into Michael, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Michael’s son Grant Copleston, who lives in Florida but grew up in Bushey Heath, said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their kind wishes and messages of condolence. This is an extremely hard time for our family, made more so given this was a wholly avoidable accident. “When the pain subsides and the rawness and hurt ends, I would only hope that I can help to make a difference in trying to change the law surrounding elderly drivers. There is clearly a problem. “For the meantime, thank you again for your messages and thoughts. It means a lot to my family and I.” Michael’s funeral was held on December 14.