Former rowing world champion Carl Smith died aged 48 on New Year's Day, 2010.

He was involved in a road accident near his Calverton home and died from his injuries.

Carl began his rowing career as a cox at Nottingham and Union Rowing Club, aged 12.

He went on to win gold medals at four world championships, including at his home course in Nottingham in 1986.

He was named international rower of the year in 1994 after his fourth world title success.

Mr Smith retired from rowing in 1996, having also won five Henley Royal Regattas and two Commonwealth Games medals during his career.

Friends at Nottingham Rowing Club, where Carl was a coach, described him as "one of the nice guys".

Club president Keith Atkinson said Carl had been returning home from a training session when the accident happened.

He said: "This is a very tragic and awful accident. We are all really sad about Carl's death.

"He had a fantastic track record and he was a very modest guy."

Ian Wilson, former president of Notts County Rowing Association, said: "Carl was one of the few people to have ever won four world titles in both rowing and sculling disciplines.

"As a coach he was inspirational. He was a regular guy who loved his sport."

Carl was survived by his partner, Ros, and two adult children, Ben and Lydia.