An investigation has been launched into the death of a popular garage owner who was trapped under a vehicle at his workshop in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Steve Preston, 40, owner of The Service Centre on Ynyshir Road in Ynyshir, was pronounced dead at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant following the incident, which is believed to have occurred while he was working beneath a ramp.
Mr Preston, a father of two, opened The Service Centre in 1992 and had built up the business over more than two decades. His widow, Tracey, said the family was trying to come to terms with the loss. “There was an accident at the garage and that’s all we know,” she said. “He loved his family and he also loved the sport of Moto X.”
Their son Danial, who helped his father in the business, is an elite Moto X rider in the UK and is coached by some of the sport’s top competitors. Mr Preston was said to be immensely proud of his son’s achievements and regularly took him to competitions across the country.
Ynyshir ward councillor Lionel Langford said the tragedy had left the community in shock. “Steve had been trading here for several years and was very popular,” he added. A neighbour, who asked not to be named, described Mr Preston as hard-working and very much a family man.
An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned, and the Health and Safety Inspectorate is carrying out an investigation. His funeral will take place next Thursday, with a service at the family home in Olive Terrace, Trebanog, at 11am, followed by cremation at Coychurch Crematorium at 11.30am.
