Tributes to city victims of pile-up

Sep 19 2006 By Neil Elkes

MEMORIAL services are to be held for a Sutton Coldfield clergyman and member of his congregation who died in a horrific motorway car crash.

The Rev Chris Rankin, minister of Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church, and Matt Sellers were among four people killed in the pile-up on the M6 near Cannock on September 10.

Speaking on behalf of the church, administrator Ian Lund said: "Chris and Matt were loved and valued members of Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church community.

"The church is obviously shocked by this terrible accident and are praying for Chris and Matt's families and for those of the other people who died."

Mr Rankin, aged 52, was responsible for pastoral care and had moved to the Sutton Coldfield parish from his home city of Nottingham five years ago.

He was travelling in a Renault Clio with Mr Sellers, a 30-year-old IT consultant.

Mr Sellers, who leaves a widow Heidi, had been a lifelong member of the church and was involved in its work with students and young people.

A thanksgiving service is to be held for Mr Sellers at noon on Friday following a family funeral at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium.

Due to the large number of people wanting to pay their last respects there are two memorial services for Mr Rankin. The first was being held in Nottingham today and Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church hosts the second at 2pm on Saturday.

* Andreas Klassen, 51, a lorry driver from Emsdetten, Germany, has been been remanded in custody by Stafford Crown Court charged with four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.