A MOTORCYCLIST lost his life on Friday on a stretch of road just yards from where two young soldiers lost their lives last year – as the family of one of the soldiers spoke of the devastation road accidents leave on loved ones.

The 24-year-old man, from Northallerton, was killed just before midnight on Friday on Leyburn Road in Catterick Garrison, when his white Kawasaki motorbike left the road and collided with a lamppost.

It happened on the same stretch of road where 20-year-old Codie Richardson, from Norton, Stockton, was killed in a road traffic collision at the beginning of last year.

Royal Dragoon Guard, Private Richardson died in a car crash at Catterick Garrison alongside friend, Trooper Mark McKeen, after his Seat Ibiza left the road and collided with a tree.

The roadside where people visited to leave tributes over the weekend has now become a dreadful reminder of the cost to families, friends and others affected by road accidents.

A heart-wrenching letter was left at the scene of the accident to the motorcyclist, who has not yet been formally named by North Yorkshire Police but is believed to have been in the military. The letter, from his girlfriend, stated: “how could you have been taken away from me”?

It went on: “I have been home two days baby! You couldn’t of waited 60 or 70 more years to do something silly like this.

“But baby I will do and say that every day. I will think and pray for you every day.

“There is not a moment that will go by that I will not think of you and us and how perfect we are together.” It finished by saying he was “irreplaceable”.

On Sunday the family of Codie Richardson visited the roadside to lay flowers at both accident sites.

Codie’s stepfather, Gary Muir, spoke about the devastation felt by families when loved ones are lost without warning in road accidents.

Every two weeks they visit the roadside in Catterick Garrison where Codie died on February 1, 2014, to lay fresh flowers at the site.

Earlier this year he created a road safety message for young road users with North Yorkshire Police, as he is determined to ensure other families don’t go through the same experience they did.

“I read about the accident and it just flawed me,” he said.

“It happened just under a tenth of a mile from where Codie was killed.

“I’ve put some flowers down for the lad. I know what we’ve been through and the thought anyone else has to go through the same is unreal. It’s terrible.

“Every time I go down any road and see flowers tied to a fence by a roadside it's thrown back at you again.”

North Yorkshire Police are now appealing for anyone who saw the collision, or the motorcycle involved before the collision, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the Major Collision Investigation Team, or email MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Please quote reference number 12150137181