Two teenagers killed when the motorbike they were riding on hit a car have been named.
Wayne Hodgson, 18, and Bobby Grimes, 13, died after the collision on Middridge Road,near Rushyford roundaboutin County Durham, shortly before midday on Friday.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, rushed to the scene but the boys could not be saved.
They were travelling on the same motorcycle at the time of the collision and police have ruled out any suspicious activity.
In a joint statement, Wayne’s family said he has ‘left a massive hole in our hearts and lives’.
It went on: ‘You are going to be missed for forever and a day. We love you always, our baby Wayne.’
The family also thanked passers-by and medics who helped at the scene.
Bobby’s family also paid tribute to the schoolboy, saying: ‘Bobby was a greatly loved son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson.
‘He was a cheeky boy who loved to say “wise man”. He will never be forgotten and missed forever.’
They added that he was a ‘hero in our eyes’.
Durham Constabulary said: ‘A police investigation has established there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the crash but are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.
‘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.’
Flowers and balloons have been laid at the crash scene.
An inflatable football featured a number of tributes, including one which 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 card read: ‘Bobby rest easy son forever 13.’
Messages attached to flowers paid tribute to Wayne, with one reading: ‘To Wayne words are not enough to express how I feel at this moment in time, you are forever 18.’
Councillor Dorothy Bowman, of Great Aycliffe Town Council, described the incident as ‘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.’
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