'Blissfully happy' Chesterfield couple died in tragic crash just five months after dream Canada wedding

Newlyweds from Chesterfield were living in ‘bliss’ as they began a fresh adventure together, before both died following a tragic accident on a Sheffield road.
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Ben and Amy Rybka, who lived in Danesmoor, Chesterfield, were riding on a motorbike together when it collided with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction on the A616 Stocksbridge bypass on March 21 last year, an inquest heard.

Ben, a 35-year-old father-of-two who worked as an outdoor pursuits instructor at The Mill in Mansfield, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and Canadian-born Amy, 30, an early children’s educator who had recently begun a new job at Nursery Rhymes day nursery in Chesterfield, died in hospital six days later.

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An inquest into their deaths, held at Sheffield Coroner’s Court today, January 28, heard how the lovebirds had only tied the knot five months earlier in Canada and were saving to buy a new house with space for them, Ben’s young sons and the child they planned to have together.

Ben and Amy Rybka with Ben's young sons, Corben and Rueben, to whom Amy was very closeBen and Amy Rybka with Ben's young sons, Corben and Rueben, to whom Amy was very close
Ben and Amy Rybka with Ben's young sons, Corben and Rueben, to whom Amy was very close

Amy’s stepfather, Colin Ollerhead, told the court how she had described her tragically short married life as ‘bliss every day’.

He said his stepdaughter, whom he called a ‘bright light who lit up the room’ and had an ‘infectious’ laugh, had been a keen rower and adored horses ‘but most of all she loved going on adventures with Ben’.

Ben’s mum Sonja told how he and Amy, who met while working on a cruise ship, had been ‘exceptionally happy’ together.

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“This has devastated our family, and Ben’s sons, who are at a very young age, are trying to come to terms with the loss of their dad,” she added...

Amy Rybka described married life with her new husband Ben as 'bliss every day'Amy Rybka described married life with her new husband Ben as 'bliss every day'
Amy Rybka described married life with her new husband Ben as 'bliss every day'

“Ben loved Amy and would never have done anything to put her in danger.”

Both families praised the support they had received, particularly from the liaison officer at South Yorkshire Police.

The court heard how Ben had been driving, with Amy riding pillion, and was attempting to overtake other vehicles when the crash happened at around 11am that morning.

Witnesses described how there was nothing the lorry driver could have done to avoid them.

Coroner Katy Dickinson recorded a conclusion of accidental death.