HUNDREDS of mourners are expected to attend the funeral of a motorcyclist who developed a passion for riding after surviving a serious industrial accident.

Paul Barker sustained multiple injuries after his white, orange and black 990cc KTM motorbike was in collision with a red DAF goods lorry in Moor End Lane, between Sowerby and Dalton, near Thirsk on Thursday, May 2.

The 46-year-old, who had recently announced his desire to marry his fiancée, Lorraine Marsden, next year, was declared dead at the scene.

Friends, colleagues and family members said they had been stunned by the tragedy as Mr Barker had been a careful rider, but it was a small comfort that he had died while pursuing his passion.

They said Mr Barker, of Alexander Close, Thirsk, who originally from Thornaby, near Middlesbrough, had ridden motorbikes for about 18 years and may have lost control while trying to avoid a wild animal in the road.

Mr Barker’s son, Jason, 23, said his father regularly went out of his way to help vulnerable people and displayed his compassion by rescuing animals in distress.

He said: “Dad said going fast it wasn’t worth the risk, but if he had to put a tick in a box, that would have been the way he wanted to go.

“He knew his limits, he didn’t go into a situation blind. He was such a good rider.”

Jason Barker said his father, who had helped him (Jason) to recover from cancer last year, had worked as a paint sprayer at steel fabricator Severfield-Watson, in Dalton, where he was revived three times in 1993 after being struck by a metal chain.

A funeral service will be held at 11am tomorrow (Friday, May 10) at St Mary’s Church, Thirsk.

Anyone who saw either vehicle before the incident should call North Yorkshire Police on 101.