TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted father who died in a motorcycle crash last week.

David Michael Farrell died in an accident on the A68 at Allensford Bank, near Consett shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday.

The 30-year-old, from nearby Bridgehill, was riding an off road bike which appeared to lose control on a bend and crossed the carriageway, crashing into a Nissan Qashqai heading in the opposite direction.

Mr Farrell was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the Nissan, a couple in their 60s from Scotland, were uninjured, but suffered shock.

His family have paid tribute to Mr Farrell, in a statement released today.

They said: “David was a devoted father to his young son, a loving fiancé and a cherished son, brother and uncle.

“His family and friends are devastated by this tragic and unexpected accident.

“The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the driver of the other vehicle involved and the paramedics who attempted resuscitation at the scene.”

A police investigation into the cause of the collision is continuing.

Anyone with information or with dashcam footage is asked to contact Durham Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 236 of April.