Tributes to biker killed in Plymouth crash

FAMILY and friends are mourning the loss of a Plymouth biker who died in an horrific smash with a lorry.

Tributes have been paid to grandfather-of-four Andy Carter who lost his life when his green Kawasaki ZX9R motorcycle was in collision with a heavy goods vehicle on Monday afternoon.

Shocked relatives last night described the 51-year-old as a “family man” and a “great guy” whose passion lay with motorbikes.

Andy, who lived in Whitleigh, was pronounced dead at the scene on the Manadon roundabout.

He has not yet been formally identified, but relatives from the city and beyond have now been informed of the tragedy.

Floral tributes have been placed at the scene of the accident.

Devastated son Jason, aged 28, said: “Everybody is still in shock.

“There are loads of tears, and it’s just sinking in I suppose, but everyone in the family is there for each other.

“We’re a big family and a close family and we’re going to miss him loads, obviously.

“He was a dad, a grandad, an uncle, everything.

“He loved his bikes, his tattoos and his family.

“But family was the number one thing in his life.”

Andy was born in Edinburgh but moved to the city at the age of two and considered himself “Plymouth born and bred,” Jason said.

The Argyle fan also leaves behind younger son Jamie, 26, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Although Andy and the boys’ mother Diane separated, they always remained close, Jason said, and he was looking forward to watching his four young grandchildren grow up.

“He was just a great guy,” Jason added. “He was a great dad. It was me and my old man who were into the bikes.

“My biggest memory will be of him and his bike. His main passion lay with motorcycles.”

Tributes are also being paid to Andy on social networking site Facebook.

Niece Keesha Carter wrote: “To the Carters: we are a unit, a strong, loving and amazing unit, we have each other to get through this awful, messed up tragedy.

“So let us remember the good times we had with that crazy kilt wearing, northern soul dancing man we called an uncle, a father, a brother, a friend, and let us know and remember that we loved him and he loved us unconditionally. We will miss you uncle.”

Police are still seeking further witnesses to the collision, which involved a Scania tipper truck.

A 46-year-old woman from the South Brent area who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has since been bailed.

Police said an arrest was normal practice in the circumstances.

The accident, on one of Plymouth’s busiest roundabouts, left traffic gridlocked during Monday’s rush hour.

Firemen and ambulance crews were sent to the crash, between the traffic lights on Mannamead Road and the exit to Outland Road, at 3.15pm.

A screen was erected to conceal the wreckage from public view as emergency services spent around seven hours working at the scene.

Any witnesses are asked to call Sgt Steve Walker on 08452 777444, quoting police log 416 of August 8.