TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired university lecturer who died after being hit by a lorry while walking outside the entrance to a museum.

Grandfather Terry Miskell had popped out to buy a newspaper and was coming home when he was knocked down near to Beamish Museum.

He was taken to hospital after the accident on Friday, September 11, but died of his injuries the following Monday.

The family of the 82-year-old have paid tribute to a “loving, family man”

Mr Miskell, from Beamish, is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Jane, son Simon, three grandsons, and younger brother Derek.

In a joint statement issued through Durham Police, the family said: “Terry was a loving, family man.

“He was always very caring and positive.

“We are struggling to come to terms with our loss but holding on to the many happy memories we made together.

“We thank everyone for their kind words over the last few days and these have offered some comfort at this very difficult time.”

At the age of 15, Mr Miskell went to work down the mines, but went on to an academic career and spent more than 20 years as a senior lecturer in Operations Management and Engineering at Northumbria University.

A highly-regarded figure, he was voted most popular lecturer by students for three years running.

Keen to continue his own learning, Mr Miskell went on to complete his Master of Science Degree at Manchester University.

After retiring at the age of 62, he dedicated more of his time to his family and many hobbies including crosswords, golf, gardening and going on cruise ship holidays.

In his younger days, he was a keen cyclist and was a member of the Stanley Clarion Cycling Club.

Mr Miskell was returning home, having been to the shops in Pelton to buy a newspaper, when the collision happened on the A693 near the entrance road to the Beamish Museum at about 11.40am on Friday, September 8.

Police would like to trace anyone who may have seen the incident or either Mr Miskell or the white-coloured HGV in the moments before the collision. Officers have spoken to the HGV driver.

  • Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 101, quoting incident number 139 of September 8.