M27 crash: Tributes to 'one in a million' lorry driver

Michal Kaminski, known as Mike, worked as a lorry driver for a flooring firm in Salisbury

A lorry driver killed in a motorway crash has been described as "one in a million" in tributes from family and colleagues.

Michal Kaminski, 36, was on the M27 near junction five for Southampton Airport when the crash involving two other cars happened on 21 February.

Three people were arrested and have since been bailed.

Paying tribute, his family said: "You will always be in our hearts and we will always remember you smiling."

Michal Kaminski with his parents and younger brother Rafal

After moving from Poland about 10 years ago, Mr Kaminski lived in Salisbury and worked as a driver for flooring firm Salesmark West.

Lawrence Bryant, owner of the family-run business, said Mr Kaminski, known as Mike, was "a uniquely kind, generous and larger-than-life character".

He said: "Customers described him as 'one in a million'.... the hole he leaves in our team and the hearts of the people who knew him can never be filled."

The firm has set up a JustGiving page to help support Mr Kaminski's younger brother Rafal, who also worked at the firm and shared a home with him.

"As a legacy to Mike, we would love to see a financially secure future for Raf in Salisbury", Mr Bryant said.

Lorry driver Michal Kaminski died at the scene

The westbound stretch of the motorway remained closed until the early hours of 23 February while a gantry, damaged in the crash, was taken down.

Police said, as well as the lorry being driven by Mr Kaminski, a Nissan Juke and a Volkswagen Polo were also involved in the crash.

A man aged 37 and woman, 40, both from Littlehampton, and a 32-year-old man from Yapton were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 32-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of drink driving. The woman was also arrested on suspicion of drink driving and and drug driving.

Police said all three had since been released on bail until 21 May.

The three arrested were taken to hospital following the crash, while a woman in the Nissan suffered minor injuries.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary continues to appeal for witnesses and anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

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