THE 20-year-old biker who died after a crash in Brierley Hill in the early hours of Saturday morning has been named as Elliott Beddow from Stourton.

Tributes have been paid to the popular apprentice engineer who died after he came off his Harley Davidson in Brettell Lane at around 2.10am.

Emergency crews battled in vain to try and save his life but he was pronounced dead at the scene – near the junction with Silver Street, just 100 yards from where two men were killed in a road smash before Christmas.

His untimely death has left family and friends heartbroken – and his mum Katie Beddow said in a statement: "We have lost the brightest light, our ray of sunshine and the family joker. We are struggling to come to terms with the fact that Elliott has gone. He has left an enormous void that we will never fill.

“He was fiercely loyal and protective of those he loved. A son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and soul mate to Holly, her partner in crime, and a friend to many.

“He will always be in our hearts and we will miss him now and forever.”

Kidderminster Shuttle:

The news has also rocked Wollaston pub Katie Fitzgerald’s where Elliott worked.

Owners Eddy Morton and Trina Keane cancelled a Father Ted function night planned for Saturday night as a mark of respect, instead inviting people to “exchange memories and cry together” while raising a glass for much-loved Elliot who was affectionately known as Ell Philo.

A statement on the pub’s Facebook page said: “Elliott was a huge character for someone of such a young age and we cannot believe that he has been taken from all of us - from friends and family and girlfriend Holly. His death will leave a huge hole in many people's lives.

“He was funny and great fun to be with, extremely hardworking, loyal and supportive of everyone around him and lived his life to the full. Everyone who knew him loved and respected him as a truly remarkable human being. We will all miss his cheeky face but he will never be forgotten.

“The lights are out at Katie Fitzgerald's but the brightest star shines on. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Licensee Trina choked back the tears as she told the News: “We’ll never be the same here, never. He was very loved.”

She said a book of condolence would be opened tomorrow (Tuesday) at the pub for friends to leave tribute messages and photographs which will be passed on to Elliott’s family. There’ll also be a video camera at the pub for people to record messages with their memories of him.

Trina said: “Tomorrow’s just going to be about Elliott.”

She said people have already begun leaving flowers, cards and donations and she added: “We’re starting a fund in his name.”

Brettell Lane was closed until just after 7am after the crash – which was also the scene of a horror smash last Christmas Eve when father-of-one Karl Green, aged 23, and passenger Andrew Wheeler, aged 28, died after the car they were travelling in hit a wall.

Any witnesses to Saturday’s fatal crash are urged to contact officers who are trying to piece together the moments leading up to incident.

Sergeant Chris Ridge, from West Midlands Police’s Collision Investigation Unit, “The circumstances leading up to the fatal crash are still unclear and we are working hard build a better picture of events in the moments before the incident.”

Anyone able to help with the investigation should call police on the non-emergency number 101.