EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid to the victim of a crash which happened only hours before another fatal smash.

Cab driver Tahir Shabir Khan, 29, of Keighley, died when his car left the Aire Valley trunk road and plunged down an embankment on Wednesday, May 24.

He was the only occupant of the grey Peugeot Partner.

Later that day, a man in his 30s was killed and three passengers injured – two seriously – when a car crashed into a road sign and a tree at Laycock, Keighley.

An inquest into Mr Khan’s death was opened and adjourned last Friday – the same day hundreds of people attended his funeral.

His sister, Robina Kousar, said: “We are all heartbroken at our tragic loss.

“Everyone remembers him for always being so kind, gentle and humble. He had a wonderful, warm smile and a great personality.

“His friends remember him for his generosity and caring nature. He would often go out of his way to help others.

“Tahir was a true credit to his family. He touched so many hearts."

“He was an amazing person and will always be missed and cherished by all his family and friends.”

Born and brought-up in Keighley, Mr Khan attended the former Greenhead Grammar School – now University Academy Keighley.

He worked at McDonald’s in Skipton for about four years and in February this year, he began working as a self-employed driver for Silsden & Steeton Private Hire.

Mr Khan, who was single, lived with his parents in Granville Street.

Councillor Zafar Ali (Con, Keighley Central) – a close friend of the family – said he was devastated at what had happened.

“It’s a real tragedy – very sad indeed,” he said.

“They’re such a nice family and I really feel for them.

“You never expect when someone leaves the house in the morning that it will be the last time you see them.

“I’ve known the family for 40-odd years and Tahir all his life. He was very cheerful and no-one said a bad word against him.

“This is a really sorrowful time for all his family and those who knew him.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened on the A629 at Steeton at about 9.30am.

Paramedics and a clinical supervisor from Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended the incident, plus crews from Bingley and Silsden fire stations.

The westbound carriageway of the trunk road between Keighley and Steeton was closed for much of the day while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Witnesses have been urged to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting log *0465 of 24 May.

The Laycock crash happened shortly after 11pm that day.

A blue Fiat Punto left the road in Laycock Lane and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

His name has not yet been released by police.

Two other occupants of the vehicle, a man in his 20s and the other in his late teens, suffered serious injuries.

The older man was said to be in a critical but stable condition.

Another passenger, a boy in his early teens, received minor injuries.

A villager who was first on the scene of the accident has spoken of how he tried to help the victims.

He rang 999 and gave the emergency services what information he could over the phone.

And he then used the headlights of his car to provide extra light as police and paramedics worked at the scene.

The man, who asked not to be named, said he had just let his dog out the house when a passing cyclist told him something had happened “in the dip on the road”.

“I got in my car and went straight there,” he said.

“It was pitch black. The spot where it happened is notoriously bad at night.

“The Fiat was up against a tree.

“Someone was screaming but otherwise it was really quiet. I was the only other person there at that time.

“I phoned 999 and within a few minutes a first response ambulance arrived and then the police.

“I stayed to do what I could for the emergency services until they said I was OK to leave. Police then came later to take a statement.

“It’s a really sad situation and I feel for the families and friends of those involved.”

District councillor Cath Bacon, whose Keighley West ward includes Laycock, voiced her shock and sorrow at what happened.

“It’s a tragedy and a terrible waste of life,” she said.

“And coming so soon after the fatal accident on the A629 earlier in the day, it brings home the dangers on our roads.”

Police are also seeking witnesses to the Laycock accident.

Anyone able to help is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team, quoting log 2127 of 24 May.