Musician, 45, whose band supported The Wombats dies after being hit by tractor

By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:53, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 18:54, 8 August 2026 A musician whose band supported The Wombats has died after being hit by a tractor. Nathan Smith died in hospital after the crash on Shelton New Road, in Cliffe Vale, Stoke-on-Trent. Police, paramedics and an air ambulance raced to the scene at 8.20am on Wednesday The 45-year-old pedestrian was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later. Staffordshire Police said the tractor driver remained at the scene to help the police with their enquiries. Nathan, of Hartshill, ran a recording studio alongside playing in several bands including MFK, which played with the Wombats at Trentham Gardens. In a statement, his family said: 'Nathan was a self-taught electric bass player, who played in various Stoke bands and ran the UTC recording studio in Longton with his friend and fellow Big Cash Prizes band member, Tom Bath. 'He was supremely talented and in recent years enjoyed success with a new Stoke band MFK, culminating in supporting the Wombats at Trentham Gardens. 'Nathan was so much more though. A wonderful son, grandson and an incredible father. Nathan Smith (pictured) died in hospital after the crash on Shelton New Road, in Cliffe Vale, Stoke-on-Trent 'He charmed everyone he met and was universally adored. 'He will be missed enormously by so many people.' The force said his next of kin are being supported by specialist officers and that inquiries are ongoing. Officers have urged anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting incident 186 of August 5. A spokesperson for the force previously said: 'We are appealing for information after a man sadly died following a collision in Stoke-on-Trent today (Wednesday 5 August). 'We were called just after 8.20am to Shelton New Road in Cliffe Vale following reports of a collision. 'West Midlands Ambulance Service and Midlands Air Ambulance also attended the scene. 'A tractor and a pedestrian were involved. 'The pedestrian, a man, was taken to hospital by ambulance and was sadly pronounced dead a short time later. 'His next of kin have been informed. 'The driver of the tractor stayed at the scene to help us with our enquiries.'