Partner pays tribute to Notts dad-of-four who died after Ashbourne motorcycle crash

Karl Derner died at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield following the accident

The partner of a father-of-four who died following a motorcycle crash has paid tribute after the tragic incident. Karl Derner, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was only 42 years old when he "misjudged a corner" and crashed on the B5056 in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

The incident happened on Sunday morning (October 6) and Karl died on Monday, October 7, following a failed surgery at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where he was taken by an air ambulance. Karl's partner, Tanya, 43, told Nottinghamshire Live how Karl had only recently got back into his passion for motorcycles.

She said: "He's always loved motorcycles and hadn't had one for years. We recently came into a position where we were able to get him one and he was jumping with joy. He would go out to meet people in the motorcycling community. He was very passionate about it and it was something he really enjoyed."

Tanya also spoke about the moment she realised the gravity of the accident. She said: "One of his friends called me after the accident to tell me about it and at that point, they weren't 100 per cent sure what was wrong.

"He was responsive after the crash but was turning unresponsive so they took him to the Northern General by air ambulance because they believed he had internal injuries. Me and the kids were on our way there when we got a phone call from the police informing us about what happened.

"They had sent a car to our home to collect me to blue-light me to the hospital. That's when I knew things were very serious."

Tanya described Karl as a "quiet person" who enjoyed his hobbies and gave his all to his passions. He had four children, Phoenix, nine, and Jennifer, eight, and Jack, 19, and Luke, 18, from a past relationship. Karl worked in Mansfield doing sign writing, wrapping of vehicles and window tinting.

Tanya said: "He absolutely adored his children. He wasn't one to go out to the pub and sit drinking with his mates. He was content at home with me and the kids, just sitting with us, playing, and really, just being a dad."

A fundraiser has now been launched by Tanya's close friend, Emma Suso, which has so far raised more than £1,200 to cover Karl's funeral costs. Tanya said: "The support has been absolutely outstanding.

"I'm genuinely humbled by the response the fundraiser has received and I will always be thankful to all those people who helped." Tanya also thanked the staff at the Northern General and the police for their support.

A ride-out and flower run will take place in Karl's memory at 11.30am on Saturday, October 12, between The Old Ashfield on Kirkby Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and the B5056 in Matlock. Tanya said: "A lot of his friends from the motorcycling community will be there. The family will be there. It's our way of paying our respects to him."