A devoted grandfather is being remembered as a true hero after he made the ultimate sacrifice to save his wife from a catastrophic collision.
David Lalgee, 64, lost his life in a devastating accident on the M60 near Manchester when an out-of-control lorry crashed through the central reservation and barreled into four cars.
With only seconds to react, David, a former church minister and grandfather of nine, made a split-second decision that would cost him his life but save his beloved wife, Jo.
As the runaway HGV hurtled toward them, he braked and swerved his Volkswagen iD5, positioning the car so that he absorbed the full impact of the crash, shielding Jo from near-certain death.
His Wife’s Heartfelt Tribute
“David saved my life,” Jo, 57, told MailOnline.
“It was a miracle that I walked away from the accident. He did everything he could to protect me.”
Recalling the harrowing moment, she shared, “When we saw the lorry break through the central reservation, David knew exactly what was about to happen.
He looked at me and said, ‘Ok, here we go.’”
In those final moments, David turned the car just enough to shield her from the brunt of the impact.
After the collision, their vehicle rolled multiple times before coming to a halt.
When Jo came to her senses, she saw that the airbags had deployed and believed for a moment they had survived unscathed.
But then she saw David, bleeding heavily from his head.
“I got out of the car, and apart from a couple of broken ribs, I was okay,” she said.
“But the car was completely crushed. It was a miracle I survived.”
Doctors fought to save David, but his injuries were too severe.
A Legacy of Selflessness
David’s family, devastated by his loss, paid tribute to the man they say always put others before himself.
His son-in-law, Reuben Morley, 35, summed it up: “David died a hero.
In that split second, he made a choice, and it was a reflection of how he lived his life—always thinking of others first.”
To honor his memory and help cover funeral expenses, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has already received an outpouring of support from those whose lives he touched.
A Life Dedicated to Helping Others
David’s selflessness was not just seen in his final act but throughout his entire life.
He had dedicated himself to serving others in every way possible.
A former road traffic officer for Humberside Police, he later trained as a nurse and went on to run a care home for elderly and disabled people.
All the while, he also cared for his own aging mother.
In addition, he led an Evangelical church in Blackpool, where he was deeply involved in his community.
He and Jo, who met seven years ago and married in 2019, shared a passion for helping others.
Now, Jo is determined to carry on his work.
“David gave me the confidence to be the person I am today,” she said.
“So many people have reached out to tell me how he changed their lives, and I know he would want me to continue his legacy.”
A Family’s Heartfelt Goodbye
Reuben, married to David’s daughter Tamar, described him as the heart of their family.
“David was a fantastic guy, a wonderful grandfather to nine children who adored him.
Family meant everything to him, and he always went out of his way to help people.”
As the investigation into the accident continues, one thing is certain—David Lalgee’s heroic act and lifetime of kindness will never be forgotten.