’He was a happy person – that’s why it’s so sad’

FOND tributes have been paid to a young motorcyclist who died in an accident on his way to work.

Alistair Savage, 27, was described as a fun-loving person who could make anybody laugh.

Mr Savage, of Park Road, Southbourne, near Emsworth, suffered fatal injuries after his bike collided with a Mazda car in Madgwick Lane, Westhampnett, close to the junction with Claypit Lane, near Chichester.

Mr Savage worked nearby at Halfords as a sales manager.

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Paramedics and police were called to the crash at about 9.40am on Sunday, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His housemate Gary Bladen, 24, said the death had devastated his friends and family.

Mr Bladen said: ‘He would go out of his way to make people laugh. He was one in a million.

‘If ever somebody was down, he would always try to cheer them up.

‘He loved his motorbikes.

‘He was a happy person – that’s why it’s so sad.

‘He was a nice person.’

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Mr Savage was a familiar face in Southbourne on his motorbike.

Chloe Jacobs, 20, of Park Road, said: ‘I saw him on his bike a lot – he was always smiling.

‘It’s a sad loss.

‘It’s a massive shame for someone so young.’

Mr Savage was a keen cyclist and was recently pictured with former rugby player Lawrence Dallaglio for Cycle Slam 2012, a celebrity charity ride being supported by Halfords.

Emotional words have also been posted on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

Mr Savage grew up in Hailsham, near Eastbourne.

His father Edward Savage wrote that it was ‘his worst day’.

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He said: ‘My son was very special to me and I loved him so much.

‘I just hope he knew that.

‘I love you Ali and always will.’

Carl Phillips tweeted: ‘You will be missed by so many.

‘Take it easy up there dude.’

Camsta Gall, from Portsmouth, said: ‘Gone but never forgotten.’

Olly Yates, from Portsmouth, tweeted: ‘Great bloke.’

The road was closed for more than six hours while police investigated the scene for evidence.

The driver of the car, a 55-year-old man from Chichester, was uninjured.

No arrests have been made. An inquest will take place at a later date.

PC Stuart Watson, from the Sussex road policing team, said they were appealing for witnesses.

Call 101.