Leeds dad-of-three who died after being hit by HGV on M621 saved three lives through organ donation

John Rangeley, 47, was hit by an articulated lorry near to junction three of the M621 at 5.02am on Monday November 4.

He was rushed by ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary where doctors told his family he had just a 10 per cent chance of survival.

'Hard-working family man' John sadly died after a brave battle against his injuries.

Now, his daughter Chloe Rangeley, 20, has paid tribute to the 'strongest man' she knew.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post how the family had donated 'gentle giant' John's liver and kidneys - saving at least three lives.

Devastatingly, Chloe told how she discovered her dad had been a pedestrian in the crash - rather than inside a vehicle - through social media.

Describing the events, Chloe said: "On the 4th of November at 6.30 am, we were woken by the police knocking at the door, to inform us that my dad had been involved in a road traffic accident.

"My mum was then blue lighted to the LGI, we still had very little information at that time.

"My brothers and I received a phone call from my grandma around half an hour after my mum left for the hospital, to say we needed to get there as soon as possible, as he only had a 10 per cent chance of survival.

"At this point we still had no clue what had happened, nobody was telling us anything, we thought he had been in a car until social media told us that he was the pedestrian who was struck by the articulated lorry, and not in a vehicle.

"Just before 9 am that morning, a doctor came to speak with us and she informed us that there was no chance of survival.

"We went to see him in the trauma centre, and I never thought I would see the strongest man I knew, who I thought would live forever, looking so vulnerable and broken."

Chloe said the family had to make the 'hardest decision' of their lives to turn off the life support machines.

However, the family made the brave choice to honour John's wishes and donate his organs.

Chloe added: "We spent as much time as possible with my dad that day, until we were sent home by the nurse, as she could see that we were all mentally and physically drained.

"At 7.30 am the next morning, my mum received a call from the hospital to inform her that organ donation could go ahead.

"He donated his liver and kidneys, saving at least three people's lives.

"We spent the morning with him until it was time to take him down to the theatre, which we did as a family.

"We were together as he took one small breath and peacefully passed away, we never said goodbye to him, we said we love you, see you soon.

"My mum held his hand and gave him permission to go.

"It is an image we will never forget."

Chloe said her dad grew up in Belle isle until he bought his first house in Beeston at the age of 22.

She added: "He was a very hard working man, working for symphony kitchens from the age of 17 until he was made redundant at the age of 36.

"Within three months, he had found another job, working for Tuffnells.

"He had to change jobs however, as at the time, he was my mum's main carer, until I grew old enough to take over that role, the hours were no longer suitable.

"He found a job with RPL quality foam converters, which he absolutely loved and worked there until the day he died."

Chloe described her dad, who had lived in Leeds for his entire life, as a 'good, kind, hard-working family man' who 'never took life too seriously'.

She said: "He was willing to help anyone who needed it and usually did.

"He was a gentle giant in the truest sense of the word."

John's family has now set up a fundraising page on GoFundMe to raise funds towards the funeral costs and support.

To donate to the page, click here.