TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hull Olympian killed in a car crash in the Bahamas.
Judo expert Ryan Birch, 43, was involved in a head-on collision minutes after touching down in the country.
Married father-of-two Mr Birch, 43, also a commercial airline pilot, represented Team GB at both the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Details of the accident were not clear last night, but local reports state a British man was killed when a rental car crashed with a truck in heavy rain close to Odyssey airport on March 19.
Pat Brady, secretary of Haltemprice Judo Club, where Mr Birch trained under the guidance of her husband Jeff from the age of eight, led the tributes.
She said: "Ryan was definitely one of the best – very talented and, away from judo, he was a loving family man. We are shocked."
Mrs Brady said details of the accident were not clear.
"All we know if that Ryan had just landed in the Bahamas when the car he was in was involved in a head-on crash," she said.
Although Hull-born Mr Birch did not return home from either Olympic games with a medal, he took a number of European titles, earning his place among the sport's elite.
In 1990, he won British Open gold at the age of 19 and a year later established himself as one of Britain's top judo athletes with a seventh-place finish at the senior European Championships.
A further four British Open medals followed.
In 1994, Mr Birch was unstoppable at the senior European Championships in Gdansk, Poland, where he won gold.
Mr Birch signed off in style, with a bronze medal at the 1999 British Open.
He was married to fellow judo expert Rowena Sweatman and the couple lived with their children, Ellis and Allana – both aged under ten – in Manchester.
His father Allan died recently and his mother, Christine, lives in the Midlands, although other relatives are thought to still live locally.
Mrs Brady said: "Former and present members of the Haltemprice Judo Club would like to extend their deepest sympathies to all of his family. Ryan will never be forgotten."
Andrew Scoular, chief executive of British Judo, said: "We are deeply saddened by tragic passing of Ryan Birch, who had dedicated his life to judo with great success.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to Ryan's family and friends at this time."
Chairman Kerrith Brown said: "Ryan was held in great esteem in the sport and was not only a world-class judoka but also a wonderful human being."
According to local media, the truck driver and his passenger were taken to hospital, with non-serious injuries.
The accident happened during Road Safety Week in the Bahamas.
Police say 20 people have been killed in the country so far this year.
A spokesman from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We can confirm the death of a British national on March 19 in the Bahamas.
"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."
• Gallery: Pictures from the career of Hull judo star Ryan Birch
