‘Lots of hearts are broken’

■ Tragedy as 22-year-old motorcyclist killed in crash with van at junction ■ Friends launch fundraising campaign to pay for Bill’s funeral service

A young motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a van at a junction in South Ashford, sparking scores of tributes.

Friends and family of 22-yearold Bill Moss have launched a fundraising campaign to pay for his funeral following the incident last Thursday.

Mr Moss was riding a red Honda motorbike when it was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Tourneo just after 5pm.

He was declared dead at the scene of the accident at the junction of Beaver Lane and Kither Road.

Now a GoFundMe page has been set up in an attempt to raise £5,000 to support Mr Moss’s family.

Caroline Owen, who launched the page, said: “His mum Tracey is currently having chemotherapy for breast cancer so you can imagine finances are already very tough.

“Bill was a much-loved son, brother, nephew, cousin, etc, and a good friend to many.

“His loss has affected so many people and lots of hearts are broken.

“This is for funeral services and memorials, which I’m sure you’ll agree is very costly and the family does not need the extra stress of financial worries.”

Many tributes appeared at the Beaver Lane junction over the bank holiday weekend, with photographs and candles left at the roadside.

One reads: “Rest easy, Billy boy. We will miss you millions. Love you loads.”

Friend Lisa Dexter, who now lives in Maidstone but previously lived close to Mr Moss in Ashford, visited the scene on Tuesday afternoon.

“Goodbyes are not forever and not the end,” she said.

“It simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again. Rest in peace.”

On Sunday, September 12, Mr Moss’s friends will take part in a ‘Ride for Bill’ memorial event starting at the scene of the crash.

They will then ride to Camber in East Sussex before finishing in Hastings.

Last week, police issued an urgent appeal for witnesses to the crash.

Officers want to hear from anyone who witnessed either vehicle leading up to the collision or who has dashcam footage of the vehicles in the moments before the incident.

■ Anyone with information is urged to make immediate contact with the serious collision investigation unit appeal line on 01622 798538 or emailing sciu. td@kent.police.uk quoting reference AH/LB/086/21.

■ To donate to the fundraising campaign, which has already collected more than £1,700, visit bit.ly/3jxiR5G

Flowers left at the junction for Bill Moss, who was just 22 years old

The crash happened at the junction of Beaver Lane and Kither Road in South Ashford