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Manawatū has lost a “true gentleman” after the Manawatū Classic Motorcycle Club’s president died while out on a ride.
The club announced on its Facebook page John Rushton died while out with a small group of riders on January 8.
“Last Thursday afternoon a very small group of clubriders from our club went for loop ride east of Woodville intending for coffee in Woodville,” the post read.
“A missed turn off road resulted in a collision between two bikes further along, involving our president, John Rushton.
“John landed badly and died at the scene instantly, the other rider was taken to hospital.”
Rushton had been part of the club for more than 25 years and committee member Dave Scammell described him as one of the most important figures in its history.
John Rushton was president of the Manawatū Classic Motorcycle Club before his death this month. Photo / Supplied
“The word people use around here is a true gentleman,” Scammell said, “he was just a nice guy.
“He was quiet in terms of just friendly, never had a bad word to say about anybody and enthusiastic about classic motorcycling.”
Beyond the endless hours of admin Rushton sorted for the club, Scammell was keen to focus on some of the work he did to help the wider community.
John Rushton was described as a "true gentleman". Photo / Supplied
“We raised just on $20,000 for two charities, one of them was the local hospice, they got half of that and the other half went to the rescue helicopter, which unfortunately for John he didn’t get to use because he’d unfortunately passed away before the helicopter got there.
“But that wouldn’t have happened without him.”
John Rushton was a member of the Manawatū Classic Motorcycle Club for more than 25 years. Photo / Supplied
Tributes have poured in from the club and the wider motorcycle community as Scammell told the Herald nearly 50 club members came to an informal gathering to speak about Rushton and the impact he had on them.
“I‘ve never seen so many guys who are into bikes that upset, he was just so respected by everybody.”
Tributes to John Rushton have poured in from around the classic motorcycle community. Photo / Supplied
Hawke’s Bay Classic Motorcycle Club shared its condolences for his friends and family, while Motorcycling New Zealand said: “It is always deeply saddening when someone loses their life, and our thoughts are with the family and those impacted”.
His funeral took place this morning and the club had planned a display of bikes with some encouraged to follow Rushton to his final resting place in Palmerston North.
