World champion rower killed in crash
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former rowing world champion killed in a car crash on New Year's Day.
Carl Smith, 48, of Jumelles Drive, Calverton, died on the A6097 Epperstone bypass, near Lowdham, at around 1.30pm on Friday.
His TVR 350 car left the road and struck a tree at the junction with Old Epperstone Road.
Firefighters cut Mr Smith free from the vehicle but he died at the scene from his injuries.
Friends led the tributes.
Chris Bates, 47, of Newark, a friend of more than 30 years, said: "Carl was like a brother to me. I had rowed with him since we were 14 and he was the most fantastic athlete.
"He was very determined and an extremely hard competitor, but he was always humble in victory and magnanimous in defeat."
Speaking on behalf of Mr Smith's family, Mr Bates added: "He was the best friend anyone could wish to have.
"His family have had their world ripped apart."
Friends at Nottingham Rowing Club, where Mr Smith was a coach, described him as "one of the nice guys".
Club president Keith Atkinson said Mr Smith had been returning home from a training session at the club's base at Trent Side North, West Bridgford, when the accident happened.
Mr Atkinson said: "This is a very tragic and awful accident. We are all really sad about Carl's death.
"He had a fantastic track record and he was a very modest guy."
Mr Smith began his rowing career as a cox at Nottingham and Union Rowing Club, aged 12.
He went on to win gold medals at four world championships, including at his home course in Nottingham in 1986.
He was named international rower of the year in 1994 after his fourth world title success.
Mr Smith retired from rowing in 1996, having also won five Henley Royal Regattas and two Commonwealth Games medals during his career.
Ian Wilson, former president of Notts County Rowing Association, said: "Carl was one of the few people to have ever won four world titles in both rowing and sculling disciplines.
"As a coach he was inspirational. He was a regular guy who loved his sport."
Mr Smith is survived by his partner, Ros, and two adult children, Ben and Lydia.
A number of bouquets were laid at the crash scene over the weekend.
One had a card which read: "Ros, Lydia, Ben, thinking about you all. Memories can never be taken".
Another bouquet card read: "Carl, you will be sadly missed. Our deepest thoughts go out to your family."
Community figures in Lowdham also expressed their shock following Mr Smith's death.
Coun Andy Stewart, county councillor for Farnsfield and Lowdham, said he had been campaigning for safety improvements on the bypass since the mid-1980s.
He said: "The county council's accident and investigation unit is continually monitoring the A6097 to see what safety improvements can be done."
bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
18 Comments
View all
by Lydia Smith, Nottingham
Tuesday, April 06 2010, 10:57PM
“I am writing on behalf of my dads family, we would like to thank everyone for all the amazing tributes and for every bit of support that we have had, everyone has been fantastic and i am sorry it has taken so long for us to thank everyone for this. Also thank you to every single person that came to say goodbye and there love and support to my dad at his funeral.
still today it doesnt feel real to us.. we miss him with every heartbeat. his baby boo (amber the dog still looks out for him)
thank you again to all of you.
Lydia smith
p.s me and my brother and friends and family are doing a coast to coast bike ride for my dad and the robin hood half marathon.
we will make sure his memory lives on.”
by Justin Hooker, Sydney, Australia
Sunday, January 10 2010, 10:04PM
“I'll always remember the camaraderie with Carl and the NCRA guys on training camps and regattas. Carl was the heart and soul of the eight ¿ always encouraging and driving everyone to push yourself beyond what the thought were your limits.
I¿ll never forget the re-row against Harvard with about 10 strokes to go Carl starts waving his arm in the air to show that we were no 1! I¿m glad I got to return to Henley last year to catch up with the crew. Carl¿s wit and boundless energy were undiminished, and will be as I will always remember him.
I¿m proud to be able to say that I rowed Carl and privileged to have been able to call him a friend.
My sympathies go to Ros, Ben, & Lydia.”
by Judith Johnson (nee Haining), Nottingham
Sunday, January 10 2010, 1:39PM
“That is very sad news.
May he rest in peace.
Best wishes to his family.”
by Keith Symons, Widmerpool, Notts
Sunday, January 10 2010, 8:59AM
“I had the pleasure of teaching Carl to cox a whilst stroking an eight at the Nottingham & Union R.C. When he cxaught the rowing bug it was very clear that he would go a long way, but nobody could have expected him to achieve so much. my thoughts now go out to his family”
by John Melvin, London
Friday, January 08 2010, 7:09PM
“I still cant believe this has happened. It has shocked me to the core. Carl Smith the legend -gone. A remarkable man, a remarkable athlete, a remarkable waste. An earlier tribute mentioned his steam engine breathing and I remember it only too well - an awesome sound from an awesome sculler. I am truly honoured to have known him, laughed with him and raced him in the 80s. My thoughts and prayers are with you Ros and your family at this most tragic time.”