FORMER garage owner Derrick North, who kept York’s motorists running for more than 50 years, has died aged 88.

Mr North ran his petrol station, car showroom and garage on the A19 at Shipton-by-Beningbrough for half a century until 2010, when he sold the business.

He passed away peacefully last Sunday at St Monica’s Hospital in Easingwold.

When he put the business up for sale in 2008, Mr North calculated he had sold millions of gallons of petrol over the years and said he had enjoyed getting to know so many people.

He hit national headlines in 2004, when he was 78, when he helped successfully end the manhunt for serial killer Mark Hobson, who walked into the garage to buy matches, cigarette papers and a bottle of water.

Mr North served Hobson then immediately phoned police, who arrested him in nearby fields. Mr North received an appreciation award from North Yorkshire Police, but was back at work within hours and denied he was a hero.

Mr North is survived by his widow Sybil and children Christine and Graham.


Video from 2008 when Derrick North retired.