A man killed in a suspected road rage attack was a ‘kind and inspirational’ primary school teacher who asked pupils to help him propose to his wife, it emerged today.
Paul Bowles, 50, died after police were called to reports of two motorists fighting close to a roundabout, in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday evening.
Witnesses saw the driver of a van mow down Mr Bowles before fleeing the scene. Paramedics gave him CPR at the roadside but he could not be saved.
Mr Bowles, a former actor and drama teacher, worked as a learning support assistant at St Anne’s Church of England Lydgate Primary School, in Saddleworth, near Oldham, where children affectionately nicknamed him ‘Mr Baubles’ at Christmas time.
Scores of parents wrote tributes online, saying their children had been left ‘heartbroken’ and ‘devastated’ by the death of ‘the best, funniest, patient and kind teacher,’ who they all ‘adored.’
‘We really hope he knew what a difference he made to our children,’ one mother, Carly Mundy, said.
Many parents also offered their condolences to Mr Bowles’ wife, Angela, 44, a former television actress who appeared in soaps such as Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, and who also worked as a teacher.
In April 2005, the couple made headlines when Mr Bowles surprised his future wife by asking her young students to help him propose.
Then Angela Smith, she was holding her regular class at the Academy School of Performing Arts in Chadderton, near Oldham, when the children, all aged under seven, began performing a special dance routine that involved them holding up letters which spelled out: ‘Will you marry me?’
Mr Bowles, who worked at the same school at the time, then got down on one knee and popped the question.
He told his local newspaper that he had been planning the proposal ‘for a while’ and took out a loan to pay for Mrs Bowles’ engagement ring.
He joked: ‘It could have gone wrong as the children are all aged five to seven, but they did me proud. I couldn’t be happier.’
Mrs Bowles added: ‘I said, ‘Yes’ and everyone was crying.’
According to the report, in the Manchester Evening News, the couple met in 1999 when Mr Bowles, known as ‘Bowlesy,’ was starring in a production of Bouncers at the Grange Arts Centre, in Oldham and Mrs Bowles was invited backstage.
It is understood the 200 pupils at St Anne’s were told about his death on Friday.
Hannah Adams, whose daughter attended the school, wrote on Facebook: ‘Mr Bowles was one of a kind, loved so much by all the children at school. He was the fun teacher who made them all smile, always kind, patient and always there for the children. He was called Mr Baubles at Christmas time. We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of such a lovely man. Rest in Peace Mr Bowles, school won’t be the same without you.’
Many parents thanked him online for the ‘lasting impression’ he made on their children and for the ‘massive impact’ he had on so many ‘young minds and lives.’
Laura Parker said: ‘Such a massive loss to our school community. Mr Bowles certainly was a kind and generous man who spread laughter throughout the school. As my daughter says, he is ‘irreplaceable’. He will be missed beyond measure but the memories and the impact of his life on the children will be remembered forever.’
Lisa Gallaher (crt) added: ‘Such a lovely man whose heart, kindness and humour impacted so many young minds. I remember him fondly as his voice cracked with emotion as he talked about each year six leaver at the leavers’ service.’
And Jakki Robby said he was an ‘inspirational human (being) who touched so many lives.’
Danielle Hambly, who described Mr Bowles as her foster brother, said: ‘He was a very kind man and did not deserve this. He really was a good one.’
While friend Chris Hughes wrote on Facebook: ‘Paul was the easiest going person and always sound for advice. Loved his acting and music. Loved his wife and kids. RIP Bowlesy.’
In a statement, Greater Manchester police said they were supporting Mr Bowles’ family, who described him as ‘a kind, loving, family man and true gentleman who always put others before himself.’
They added: ‘He was intelligent and quick-witted, had a brilliant mind and generous heart. Paul will be missed greatly by all his family and friends.’
The argument occurred on Broadway, close to the Elk Mill roundabout, in Chadderton, around 6.40pm.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester police said the van driver later handed himself in and was arrested.
‘It is believed that the drivers of two vehicles had an altercation close to the roundabout, before one of the drivers got back into his vehicle and struck the other man with it,’ he said. ‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.’
Andrew Robson, 32, of Chadderton, was subsequently charged with Mr Bowles’ murder and appeared before magistrates in Manchester yesterday.