Tribute to M27 lorry crash victim by Salesmark West Ltd boss

Michal Kaminski, 36, was on his way to deliver flooring to customers on the South Coast when his lorry was involved in a crash with two other cars on the westbound carriageway near the junction for Eastleigh.

He tragically died at the scene on Wednesday last week, despite the best efforts of emergency services.

READ MORE: M27 crash: Everything we know after man dies in collision

Having moved from his native Poland around ten years ago, he had been working for flooring supplier Salesmark West Limited in Salisbury where he lived.

Now, managing director Lawrence Bryant has paid tribute to his beloved colleague one week on from the horrific crash.

He told the Echo: “People who know Michal really respected him. He is such a loved person.

“He was just caring, loving, nothing was too much trouble.”

Michal, known as Mike, had driven a van for several years - but his dream was to be a lorry driver.

With a lot of hard work, he overcame struggles with diabetes and the language barrier to pass his HGV class 2 test at the tail end of last year.

Lawrence described a bittersweet moment the morning Michal set off on his last journey.

Until that day, he had been using a spare pair of keys to drive the lorry - but his colleague finally gave him the original set for that journey, much to Michal's delight.

Neither knew this touching rite of passage would be both the first and last time he used those keys.

Michal Kimanski with his parents and brother, Rafal (right). (Image: Supplied)Lawrence said: "He went off with a massive smile. That morning when he left and he jumped in the lorry, it was something he had wanted to do for a couple of years."

As there was a tracker on the vehicle, Lawrence knew there had been an accident with the lorry.

But he had no idea of the extent of the tragedy until hours later.

After a sleepless night and calling the team to tell them what happened, the next morning at work was incredibly difficult.

Lawrence said: "I don't think I have ever seen as many men hug each other, flinging their arms around one another and just bawling and crying.

"It didn't quite seem believable."

For one member of the team, the news was even more devastating.

Michal's brother Rafal - known as Raf - followed his big brother to the UK shortly after he arrived.

He got a job at the same company and the brothers even lived together.

"He always looked up to his older brother," said Lawrence.

Now, with the blessing of Michal's parents, Lawrence and his daughter Jasmin Green have set up a fundraiser on Just Giving to help Raf with living costs.

Jasmin said on the page: "The hole left in Raf's life is more than the emotional loss of a dearly loved brother.

“Mike and Raf rented a house and a car together and shared all the bills. Raf has the sad reality that he has to manage this by himself as he has also lost his financial partner."

At the time of writing, almost £3,500 of a £5,000 target has been raised through the page, which has been up less than 24 hours.

Jasmin said: “We have been blown away by the love, affection and kind words expressed about Mike, our driver, colleague and friend.

“As a legacy to Mike, we would love to see a financially secure future for Raf in Salisbury. To continue the journey and adventure Mike started all those years ago.”

Paying tribute to the movie lover, who would always chat to the team about new films which were coming out, she said: "Mike was a man who always wore a smile and for whom nothing was too much trouble.

“The hole he leaves in our team and the hearts of the people who knew him can never be filled.

“A uniquely kind, generous and larger-than-life character has been snatched from us.”

In the wake of what happened, Lawrence said he had been touched by people's kindness.

He added: “Michal wouldn’t have wanted Raf to go back to Poland and give up on his life here.

“Now my focus is to make sure Raf is alright.

“It all took time but I have said to him when you are ready we are ready for you to come back."

A 32-year-old man, a 37-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, all of no fixed abode, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

All three have been released on bail until May 21 while the investigation into what happened continues.

The fundraising page in Michal’s memory can be found here.