A dedicated volunteer motorcyclist has died following a collision while transporting life-saving NHS supplies between hospitals in Wales.
Tragedy on a Country Road
Andrew Rogers, a 61-year-old farmer and grandfather of three from Haycastle, succumbed to severe injuries sustained in a crash on Monday, 29 December. He was riding his distinctive Honda 750 Blood Bike when it was involved in a collision with a black Audi A3 on the A48 near Llanddarog in Carmarthenshire.
Mr Rogers was rushed to hospital but passed away three days later on Thursday. He was a volunteer for Blood Bike Wales, a service where riders donate their time and fuel to courier critical medical items such as blood, organs, donor breast milk, samples, and surgical instruments for the NHS.
A Life Dedicated to Service
His grieving family paid tribute to a man guided by his strong Christian faith and a passion for helping others. "Andrew was volunteering as a blood bike rider at the time, something he was deeply passionate about," they said.
As well as his voluntary riding, he served as a street pastor for many years. In his professional life, he was a well-known and respected farmer who loved his work and passed his knowledge down through his family.
He is survived by his wife Tricia, daughter Julie, son Nathan and his partner Penny, his mother Hilda, brother Colin and sister-in-law Myra, and his three grandchildren, Cerys, Iwan, and Myfanwy.
A Second Tragic Loss for Volunteer Service
This incident marks the second death of a Blood Bike Wales volunteer in just six months. In July, 78-year-old Tim Minett was killed in a crash on the A478 in Pembrokeshire. Mr Minett, described by his family as a "much-loved" and "dedicated volunteer," died at the scene after his Blood Bike collided with a white Volkswagen van.
Following July's crash, a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Dyfed-Powys Police are now investigating the circumstances of the collision that claimed Mr Rogers' life and are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone with dashcam footage who was driving in the area at the time.
Blood Bike Wales shared a message on social media, stating: "We would like to sincerely thank everyone for the concern, good wishes, and support being shown - it truly means a great deal to us all." The tragedies have highlighted the risks taken by these unsung heroes who perform a vital, free-of-charge service for the National Health Service.
