Herald Express (Torbay, Brixham & South Hams Edition)
Bikers ride out as family plan final tribute to Conor
DOZENS of bikers took part in a ride-out in Paignton in memory of 19-year-old Conor Walker who died last month following a single-vehicle collision in the seaside town.
Conor, from Brixham, loved riding his motorbike with his friends so a large procession was organised on the evening of Tuesday, March 26.
A vast number of motorbikes embarked on the ride-out which began from Long Road at 6.55pm.
It was led by Conor’s best friend Ben Dyer and ended outside the Shoreline restaurant on Paignton sea front. There lanterns were lit and fond memories of Conor shared.
Conor’s family said: “We would like to say thank you for all the love that people have shown for Conor and thank the emergency services for their help.”
The emotional occasion was shared online in a video by Daysdayout, a father and son moto-vlog.
The duo said: “Thank you to everyone who joined in to give their respect to Conor, the biker way. It was such an amazing turnout.
“A big thanks to all the folks from Jolly’s [JollyBikeShop] who turned up as well, that was awesome! He would have been smiling ear to ear tonight [March 26].
“Ride on Conor, we all gave you the best send-off we could! Thank you to the marshals who helped, and to the police for helping with some of the traffic control.”
A large crowd of friends and loved ones had previously gathered a week earlier on March 20, at the scene of the fatality in Brixham Road.
Emergency services were called at 7.35pm to the scene the day before, March 19, following reports of a crash. Conor, who worked for Coast Marine Services, died at the scene.
In a tribute posted online, his family have expressed their heartbreak and have shared details of a celebration of life they are organising to give Conor a final send-off on Friday, April 19.
The tribute said: “As a family, we are sorry to announce the death of our beautiful boy, Conor. He died in a motorbike accident on the 19th of March at age 19. We are heartbroken. We will say goodbye to him on April 19 in his home town, Brixham.
All who loved him are welcome to join us for Conor’s day. Please join in for any part that you feel is right for you.”
The funeral details provided by the family are:
» 1pm – Brixham Breakwater slipway: We will take Conor to the Breakwater slipway and be there for a while for people to gather and show their love for him.
» 2pm – Scala Hall: We will be holding a service in the Scala Hall. Close friends and family are welcome. If you are not able to join us here due to the hall being full, please make your way to the Berry Head Hotel.
» 3pm – Berry Head Hotel: We will be celebrating his life at the Berry Head Hotel in the Mulberry room. There is no dress code; please wear whatever you would like to. No flowers please, any donations to the RNLI Torbay Lifeboat may be made with gift aid through www.stockmanandloram.co.uk/donations
Any enquiries can be made with Kim Palmer at Stockman and Loram Funeral Services on 0180 388 2385.
Police are investigating the circumstances of Conor’s death. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, and has not yet spoken to police is asked to call 101 quoting log number 678 of March 19.