Gaius John RUNDLE (known as John)1964-17 Aug 2006
John Rundle from Wheal Rose in Porthleven was killed when his blue Vauxhall Cavalier car careered into the path of an oncoming Mercedes Sprinter van at the entrance to Weeth Farm, on the B3304 Helston to Porthleven road, just after 4.20pm on August 17 2006. Mr Rundle's neighbour and close friend, Anthony Wilcock, was a rear seat passenger and was also confirmed dead at the scene.
Rundle's daughter, Laura, the front-seat passenger received life-threatening injuries to her brain, as well as suffering severe pelvic and back injuries. Her spleen was so badly damaged it had to be removed. She remained in a coma for several weeks and initially was not expected to survive. At one point she weighed just four stone.
Laura paid tribute to her father, describing him as someone who would put himself out to help people. "He helped everyone. He would collect bits and bobs to help people and his shed used to be full of stuff. He was a bit, cuddly chap and a loveable kind of guy," she said. She added that he was musical, playing guitar and keyboard, as well as a very practical person, using his "great" carpentry skills to help the Hope Project in Penzance for the benefit of people in deprived circumstances.