The grandson of a man killed while crossing the road pays tribute to his grandfather

A grieving grandson has paid an emotional tribute to his ‘caring and loving’ grandfather days after he was killed in a road accident.

Michael Charalambous, 84, of Lennox Gardens, Neasden, died after being struck by a lorry while crossing the top of Dollis Hill Lane on Thursday afternoon.

His grandson Andreas Charalambous was by his grandfather’s side during his final few moments as paramedics battled to save his life at the roadside.

Recalling those final minutes, Andreas Charalambous told the Times: “He was saying my name so he recognised me, I tried to comfort him and gave him a kiss. By the time I stood up, his heart had stopped.

“It was tragic, but it is some comfort to know that I was with him during those last moments.”

Andreas Charalambous, said his grandfather was a well loved man who adored visits from his grandchildren, and it is as a family man that above all else he will be remembered.

He said: “He was the most kind and loving person to know, he was never a burden and would never ask anything of others.

“Family is what he lived for, and I will always remember him as a vey caring and warm man.

“He was very sharp he had a very quick wit a good sense of humour you would get a good laugh out of him.”

Michael Charalambous grew up an only child in Cyprus where he lived with his mother, his father having died before he was born.

He moved with his wife Phaedra to London in 1956, and eventually settled in Neasden after getting a job at the McVities factory in Harlesden, where he worked nights.

Friends and family left flowers at the scene of the crash in an ad hoc memorial.

One card left amid the rose stalks simply read: ‘Deepest sympathies from the residents of Dollis Hill Lane and Homestead Park’.

Mr Charalambous’s tragic death has prompted calls to tighten safety measures at the junction where he was killed.

Gill Close, chairwoman of the Dollis Hill Residents Association, said the crossing was dangerously close to Neasden roundabout, and described the death as ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

Echoing these concerns, Andreas Charalambous urged Brent Council to tighten safety to prevent future accidents.

He said: “The crossing should be moved further up the street or traffic lights should be installed to regulate drivers.

“It seems the council has taken minor steps to resolve it but haven’t dealt with the issue. In fact they have encouraged people to cross at a dangerous point in the road.”

Mr Charalambous is survived by his wife, three sons, 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident at 12.25pm on Thursday afternoon to call DS Osborne on 0208 998 5319