Updated: Motorcyclist dies in crash (From Echo)

Updated: Motorcyclist dies in crash

5:38am Wednesday 12th September 2007 in

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FRIENDS of a motorcyclist who died following a crash have paid a moving tribute to a big-hearted Irishman who "loved life".

Declan McGrath, 42, of Lambourne, Canvey, was travelling to Mersea with five biker friends when his Suzuki bike collided with a trailer being towed by a Range Rover at the junction of the B1018 Southminster Road, Dairy Farm Road and Mayland Hill, in Mayland.

He was airlifted to Colchester General Hospital, but died hours later.

Mr McGrath's wife, Lisa, is being comforted by friends and family.

Friend Peter Squires, 59, of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, took the photographs of the couple's wedding on Canvey three years ago.

He said: "He only married Lisa a few years ago. She is totally shocked.

"He was stepfather to her two children and they idolised him.

"He was motorcycle mad and used to arrange trips to races. He made loads of friends through that. He was the life and soul of any occasion, a typical jovial Irishman and he had a very loving nature.

"He was brought up on a farm in Ireland and had been riding motorbikes since he was ten. It was his lifelong joy. It is so sad that is how he died."

He believed Mr McGrath's family had flown in from Ireland and would be taking his body back to Ireland to be buried.

Mr Squires, who said Mr and Mrs McGrath met through a mutual love of biking, said: "Declan had hundreds, if not thousands, of friends. They came from all over the world to be at the wedding.

"It is terrible for Lisa. The worshipped the ground each other walked on."

Mr Squires's partner, Clifford Squires, 59, added: "It was terrible news. I am really shocked.

"I have known Lisa for more than 24 years. She is totally devastated. Everything was just becoming peachy for them.

"He was such a lovely bloke. Nothing ever got him down and he loved life. His stepchildren, who are in their twenties, loved him and he leaves behind children from a previous marriage. The eldest is only 14."

Police arrested a 24-year-old from Mayland on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and have renewed their appeal for witnesses.

Anyone who saw the accident, which happened at at 8.30am on Sunday, or saw any of the vehicles involved shortly beforehand, is asked to contact Chelmsford Road Policing Unit on 01245 240625.