Tribute after biker’s death

THE devastated family of a motorcyclist killed in a crash in Northumberland has paid a heartfelt tribute to their son and brother.

The rider has been named as 33-year-old Shaun O’Connell who lived in Throckley, and Shaun’s heartbroken family has spoken of their loss.

Shaun suffered fatal injuries in a collision with a car on the A696 while riding his red Honda CBR with his younger brother James near Otterburn on Thursday morning.

Shaun had just started a new job in a call centre and was actively involved in his local church, Hillsong Church Newcastle, with his parents, Kevin and Denise.

He also had an older brother called Anthony.

On Friday, Shaun’s family said: “We are devastated. Anyone who knows Shaun will know what a loss this is.

“We are a motorbike family - we all love to go out on the bikes and this was just an ordinary day. Sadly everything has now changed.”

Shaun passed away at the roadside following the collision, while the driver of the blue Ford S Max car was taken to hospital with nonlife threatening injuries and his condition is described as stable.

James, Shaun’s brother, had been riding alongside on a separate motorbike when the crash happened.

Northumbria Police are appealing for witnesses and a spokesman for the force said: “Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.

“At around 9.10am on Thursday morning, police received a report of a twovehicle collision on the A696 near Kirkwhelpington near Otterburn. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision and have appealed for anyone who saw the collision, or saw the vehicles involved in the lead -up to the incident, to contact officers on 101 quoting log 255 25/05/17.”