‘Devastated’ brother pays tribute to M27 crash victim Michal Kaminski

Rafal Kaminski, 34, said his family has been left “heartbroken” and “devastated” after the crash near the junction for Eastleigh on February 21. 

Michal Kaminski had been delivering flooring in Fareham for Salisbury-based company Salesmark West Ltd on the morning the crash happened. 

Two other vehicles were involved with Michal, 36, being declared dead at the scene. 

Now his brother has paid tribute to him who he says was “such a good guy” and “not only my brother, he was my best friend.”

Michal Kaminski with his brother Rafal (Image: Rafal Kaminski)

Rafal told the Echo: “He was my best mate and he was really a mentor for me. He was such a smart guy. We were really close.

“My parents, they live in Poland, we don’t have a big family. It was only me and Michal and we were really really close.

“It’s really heartbreaking because nothing is going to give him back, that’s the worst.

“I remember when he came the same day for work he was so happy because he was looking forward to being an HGV driver. 

“I really miss him but I know he will be not back anymore. I’ll try to keep going forward but it is really difficult.”

Michal left the yard at Amesbury where the siblings both worked at around 10am that day and had delivered to Fareham before driving along the M27. 

Rafal said all of the vehicles have trackers and he heard there had been an accident on the motorway so he tried to call his brother but got no response. 

Later that evening, after several unanswered calls, he was shown a photo of the crash on social media. 

The police knocked at the door soon after. 

Michael Kaminski with his brother Rafal and their parents. (Image: Rafal Kaminski)

He said: “I was just in big shock. I literally lost my mind, I was shouting, screaming, crying and everything.

“After eight o’clock we were sitting and someone knocked on the door and I opened the door and I saw the police.

“I knew it straight away, Michal is gone. I keep looking to my window and thinking I am going to see him in one second, it is just so sad. I miss him so much.

“We need to be strong for my brother, I know he would like that. He doesn’t want me to be sad. He will stay in our hearts forever.”

Rafal shared all of the bills with his brother, including rent, utilities, vehicle costs and shopping. 

A fundraiser has since been set up by his colleagues to help him with some of the costs as he works to return his brother’s body to Poland for the funeral. 

At the time of writing, more than £14,000 has been raised. 

Rafal added: “It’s lovely. My parents still don’t believe how people are helpful, they want to help me.

“It’s really kind, people are kind. I really appreciate all the help.”

Michal, who moved to the UK from his hometown of Ustka in Northern Poland around 15 years ago had been working as an HGV driver. 

His brother said he was a “big Juventus fan” and would often go and play football each week. 

He also collected models from movies such as Venom, Spiderman and Transformers. 

Michal Kaminski’s models that he collected (Image: Rafal Kaminski)

Rafal said he will never get rid of these and now has them in his room. 

He is now hoping he will be able to stay in the house he lived in with his brother as “there are so many memories” but is concerned he won’t be able to afford to stay. 

A 32-year-old man, a 37-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, all of no fixed abode, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

All three have been released on bail until May 21 while the investigation into what happened continues.