eight years ago, was killed in a single vehicle accident early yesterday.

John Symons, father of one and a plumber by profession, became the third road fatality of the year after crashing his bike near Khyber Pass at 12.15 a.m..

According to a Police report, Mr. Symons, pictured far right, was travelling west along Middle Road when he lost control and fell from his cycle.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he died as a result of serious head injuries at approximately 3.15 a.m. yesterday morning.

Last night, his grieving mother, Jill Symons, described Mr. Symons as a man with a big heart who loved spending time with his nine-year-old son Deiondea.

She said John had enjoyed football, weightlifting, golf, playing pool and fishing. But, she added, he would probably be best remembered for his sense of humour.

"He loved a good laugh,'' said Mrs. Symons, and that people around John were always laughing. Mr. Symons was employed by Bermuda Air Conditioning. Last night his supervisor, Gary Hines, told The Royal Gazette that John had been working with the company for nearly 20 years off and on.

"He started when he was about 14, working summers,'' said Mr. Hines. "A number of years ago he moved over from our plumbing division to our fire protection division and became a leader and a foreman there.'' Mr. Hines said that Mr. Symons had suffered a very serious auto accident eight years ago but had fought back through a long recovery period. "He made it all the way back,'' Mr. Hines said of the accident which caused serious head injuries. "It took a lot of hard work on his part.'' Mr. Hines said many of John's co-workers had admired the way he battled back from the accident eight years ago.

"He was very much liked by all the people in the company. We're all really shaken by the whole thing,'' he said.

Mr. Hines said John had been "doing excellent'' at his work installing sprinkler alarm systems in businesses. "But beyond all that John was just a very nice guy,'' he said. "You had to like John.'' His mother stressed last night however, that those that knew and loved John should know he has moved on to a better place. "We celebrate his homecoming,'' said his mother.

Young father killed in crash "He was a born again child of God.'' Mr. Symons was a member of Mount Zion AME church.

He had been living in a studio apartment adjacent to his parents' Spice Hill, Warwick home. Mr. Symons grew up in Warwick and attended Purvis Primary School and St. George's Secondary.

This is the third road fatality of the year. In early January, 15-year-old Eric Fuhrtz was killed in a traffic accident and later the same month Police officer Robin Hollinsid, 31, was also killed.

There were five road fatalities in 2000.

A traffic accident investigator attended the scene of the accident Monday morning. Police are asking any witnesses to the fatal crash to contact Police Constable Robin Rampersad at 234-1010.