THE trucker who left Rossendale man Ron Cobbledick to die on the motorway after knocking him from his scooter was today described as 'an animal' by the victim's wife.

Audrey Cobbledick, 63, of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, was unable to say a final farewell to her husband of 13 years because his injuries were so severe but she is determined to see justice done on his behalf by finding the person responsible for his death.

A stepfather of five and grandad to eight, Ron, 43, was travelling to London where he worked for Lambert Howarth when the incident happened.

He was struck from behind by a heavy goods vehicle while travelling along the M40 near Henley on October 30.

The driver of the truck got out of his van to remove the bike from under his vehicle and left Ron on the road where he was hit by a further four lorries and a van.

The police have launched a nationwide appeal for any witnesses to the incident and Ron's wife Audrey has urged the driver responsible to own up.

She said: "He was a wonderful man and didn't deserve to be left there like an animal. In fact the person who did it is an animal. "He pulled the scooter out and left poor Ron. If he had just got out and found him and pulled him onto the hard shoulder. The police said he was dead but he wouldn't have been as badly injured and I might have been able to see him. We could have had the funeral weeks ago.

"People say once the funeral is over you can start grieving but we haven't been able to do that yet.

"If that person has got any conscience at all he should just come forward and take this attention off us. He has really robbed us."

Ron would have been 44 years old next week and should have been celebrating being married for 18 years on Sunday, December 17.

He had recently been presented with a watch from Lambert Howarth for 20 years service.

Audrey said: "We just want to get it all over with by Christmas because it's going to be very hard without him anyway. He was more a like a friend to my children because of the 19-year age gap between us and he was a wonderful grandad.

"We were best friends and did everything together. We had a camper van and thought we were new age travellers. All I've got now is his ring."

Audrey received a bouquet of flowers from Warwickshire Police, who are carrying out the investigation, and she is hoping they will soon be able to tell her who was responsible for her husband's death.

She said: "I want this person off the road. He's dangerous and shouldn't be driving. We hope this publicity touches him -- either that or the other truck drivers who may know him will think he's a swine and tell the police.

"My children have been wonderful and kept me going but it has been horrendous.

"He will be greatly missed but we had 18 wonderful years and no-one can take that away."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the police hotline on 01926 415257.

Picture: Ron and (below) hsi fianl minutes are caught on motorway CCTV