Luke Leary

The family of a 24-year-old Darenth motorcyclist killed in a road accident have paid tribute to a ‘skilful rider’ who died doing what ‘he loved’.

Luke Leary was killed when his blue and white Suzuki hit the kerb and he collided with a lamppost on the A228 at High Halstow, heading towards Rochester on June 13.

A joint statement from Luke’s parents, Lisa and Stuart Coates, and family, read: “Luke was the most exceptional person with an enormous sprit for life, enjoyment, speed and exhilaration.

“Luke died doing what he loved riding his motorbike. His 24 years on this earth were filled with more excitement than most of us will experience in our lifetime.

“He was a talented photographer and awesome web designer and a bit of a geek for audio and visual technology.

“He was a determined young man with a wicked sense of humour that some people may not have understood, but if you understood Luke you became a life time friend.

“Luke’s passion for motorbikes started at a very young age, three, when we finally gave in to his request to have a real motorbike and brought him a peewee 50. Thirty seconds after riding it for the first time he got off and stated that it didn’t go fast enough. “We had the restrictor removed so he could go that much faster and that was it, the infatuation and enthusiasm for becoming a biker happened right at that moment, the elation shown by the most amazing smile.

“Luke got a scooter at 16 and upgraded from then on to bigger, better, flasher and faster bikes riding each and every one to its max and spending lots of time on just one wheel.

“He was such a skilful rider that rode with such courage and talent. Luke used to say bikes are so amazing, I wish I could explain to people that don’t understand.

“Luke’s worship for his bikes and cars made him vulnerable. First it was a broken arm, then another. In 2007 he was hit by a car and knocked off his bike, the car crushing him against a post causing bad liver damage he spent three months in hospital on this occasion.

“Luke’s stability in life came from his Nan - she loved him more than I can express. She waited on him like a servant but would have never had it any other way.

“Although Luke and Rebecca his beautiful sister didn’t always see eye to eye, he would have never have let anyone hurt her and she is going to miss his constant windups.

“Luke we will miss you our darling boy, your sprit will live on forever, we will never let your memory die. I hope you know how much we love you and how so very, very proud of you we are. The highways of heaven have no hard landings son, go for it.”

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the accident to contact them on 01622 798 538.