Tributes to biker killed in collision, Teesdale Mercury

MOVING tributes have been paid to a fun-loving and popular Barnard Castle man who was tragically killed in a road crash.

David Morse, 36, was riding his beloved Honda bike in a group of four motorcycles near Ravensworth.

Three of the bikes were in a collision involving a Toyota Yaris car, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Mr Morse, who lived in Marshall Street, died in the crash.

Among those paying tribute to Mr Morse was close friend Mark Dodgson.

He said: “Dave lived life to the full – never was there a time where there was a dull moment with him. There was always a smile on his face and with a touch of cheek for added spice.

“Dave will always be one of my closest and most treasured mates I have had the pleasure to have known. I will miss him like many of us will.

“There are so many stories I could tell about Dave but I guess I could never finish them without either laughing or crying.”

Mr Dodgson said he had known Mr Morse for 17 years and they would often go out in Barnard Castle together.

“Every time I was out and about round Barney, it was always with Dave as it didn’t seem right going out without him – we would always be messing around like little kids,” he said.

Mr Morse lived with his wife, Sarah, and worked at Royal Mail in Darlington.

He often walked his dogs, Poppy and Albert, in town and was a keen angler.

Liz Franklin, who manages the Butterwick Hospice shop in Star Yard, said Mr Morse was the best man at her son’s wedding. She said: “He was just a great guy and always used to pop in the shop to see me – he didn’t treat me like the mother 

of his mate, he treated me like a friend.

“David was such a character and full of fun. I read the tributes on Facebook the other night and the tears were just running down my face. I can still hear the things he used to say.

“I really feel for Sarah, his wife.”

Mrs Franklin said Mr Morse had previously worked at the town’s Safeway store, which was later taken over by Morrisons. 

Mr Morse was son of Lynn and Trevor and brother to Joanne, Katy and Philip. 

A tribute page has been set up on Facebook. One close pal wrote: “Dave was just simply the best friend anyone could have.”

North Yorkshire Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses to the crash, which happened at 8.30pm in the Whashton Springs area.

Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to contact Traffic Constable Don Wright, of the force’s Roads Policing Group, on 0845 60 60 247 quoting reference number 12100107401.

l  A 22-year-old woman from the Richmond area who was driving the Toyota Yaris has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. She has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.