Tributes have been paid to a popular fruit and veg seller who died in a crash in Kent on Friday (5 February).
Kent Online reported that James Breaker, 88, of Crown Quay Lane in Sittingbourne, died when his van hit the central reservation on the A299 Thanet Way London-bound carriageway just before 2.15pm. No other vehicles were involved.
It is believed that Breaker had been trading in a lay-by near the Millstrood Road roundabout off Thanet Way in Whitstable for the last eight years.
The news site reported that Breaker used to pick up and sell strawberries from Faversham producer B R Brooks and Son in Langdon Manor Farm, during which time he became good friends with Megan Perkins.
She told Kent Online: 'The term loveable rogue springs to mind. He used to come in every day, get strawberries, eggs and potatoes - all local produce, after his family banned him from going to London.'
Fruit and veg trader John Beaney, who saw Breaker twice a week, added: 'He was a truly nice fellow and I believe he had been around fruit and veg all his life.'
Floral tributes have been left at the site where his stall was based and family and friends have described him as a 'very generous man' and a 'loveable rogue', according to Kent Online.
His brother Joseph told the news site: 'He was working ever since he was 12. He was a jack of all trades, and when one idea finished he started another.'
Great-niece Paige Breaker told Kent Online: 'He used to come to us every Wednesday for dinner. He was funny, loved his work, always talked about it and wouldn't give up work for anyone.
'As a family we would like to thank the lorry driver behind who got out to help him and the paramedics who tried to save him.'
And his nephew Edward Breaker, added: 'He lived with me for 10 years and went to work every day in wind, rain and snow.
'He couldn't go anywhere without knowing everyone and they all knew his van - since that day my phone has been inundated with people paying their respects.
'He was always a hardworking man and never altered, you don't meet many people like James.'
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