The family of two teens who tragically died in a motorcycle crash have paid tribute to the boys as well as the hero who tried to save them.
Wayne Hodgson, 18 and Bobby Grimes, 13, were riding on the same motorcycle when they died in a collision in Rushyford, on Middridge Road close to Rushyford roundabout, on July 5. Both teens were from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.
The family of Bobby said he was a “greatly-loved son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson.” They added he was a “cheeky boy who loved to say ‘wise man’ and “will never be forgotten and missed forever.” Bobby’s family added an unnamed witness who tried to give him first aid at the scene is “a hero in our eyes.”
Wayne’s family said: “Wayne, you have left a massive hole in our hearts and lives. You are going to be missed for forever and a day. We love you always, our baby Wayne.” The devastated teen’s relatives also thanked the emergency services.
Durham Constabulary said in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounded the crash, but are appealing for witnesses. Police said: “Investigators would particularly like to hear from anyone who saw or has dashcam footage of the motorcycle being driven between Ferryhill and Middridge in the minutes before the collision.”
Previously, Councillor Dorothy Bowman, of Great Aycliffe Town Council, said the incident was “terribly sad." She said: “I have known them since they were toddlers. They both came to my playgroup - the Newton Aycliffe Junior Neighbourhood Watch playgroup... I looked after them and played with them. I never had a wrong word from them, or any problems with them and I have been with them for years - one is now 13 and the other 17 years old."
Tributes were made for the boys and left at the crash site, consisting of moving words, flowers and balloons. One read: “RIP Bob's. I love you forever my boy may you have the best bed up there. I promise to look after mam and everyone else "wise man."" Another said: "Bobby rest easy son forever 13." Another said: "To Wayne words are not enough to express how I feel at this moment in time, you are forever 18."
A shocked local told the Mail that there was "police everywhere" following the incident. "We've lived here for a good few years and never seen anything like that on that road," They said. "You hear stories about boys on their motorbikes and it's so sad. The road is a single carriageway and it's usually reasonably quiet apart from at peak times but I don't think this was a peak time. On Saturday, we saw seven or eight cars parked alongside a police van and they looked like they were gathering to pay tribute."
No-one else was injured in the incident.