Tributes pour in for 'adored' musician, 45, who supported the Wombats dies in crash with tractor

Published: 11:22, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 11:24, 9 August 2026 Tributes have poured in for an 'adored' musician who died in a crash involving a tractor. Nathan Smith, 45, was best known for supporting the Wombats with his band MFK at Trentham Gardens. The music star died on Wednesday morning following the collision where he was a pedestrian on Shelton New Road, in Cliffe Vale, Stoke-on-Trent. Emergency services raced to the scene where he was in a critical condition, but despite the best efforts of staff he sadly died in hospital shortly after. Staffordshire Police said the tractor driver has helped with their enquiries. Mr Smith also ran a recording studio and was in numerous bands. 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. Tributes have poured in for Nathon Smith, 45, an 'adored' musician who died in a crash involving a tractor His band MFK posted on Instagram a tribute to the late bassist which said: 'Absolutely heartbroken. Nay Smith forever.' The music star died on Wednesday morning following the collision where he was a pedestrian on Shelton New Road, in Cliffe Vale, Stoke-on-Trent 'Nathan was so much more though. A wonderful son, grandson and an incredible father. 'He charmed everyone he met and was universally adored. He will be missed enormously by so many people.' MFK also posted on Instagram a tribute to the late bassist which said: 'Absolutely heartbroken. Nay Smith forever.' A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police previously said: 'We are appealing for information after a man sadly died following a collision in Stoke-on-Trent. '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.'