A HEARTBROKEN family has paid tribute to a motorbike-mad dad who died in a motocross accident.

Daniel Clifford, from Southend, had been racing in an event when he was flipped over the handle bars in a ‘freak accident’.

The 34-year-old died from traumatic injuries at the Wildtracks Offroad Activity Centre in Kennett, Cambrideshire on March 15.

His mum, Sheila Igoe, said: “He was riding up the hill when the freak accident happened. He went over the bike, causing the handle bars to go into his chest. 

“He he had a broken rib, which pierced his lungs and we lost him, with his 12-year-old son watching. We are all heartbroken.

 “Ever since he was a teenager he has loved motorbikes. He used to dismantle and rebuild them and would sometimes take the kids down to Southend Shakedown to try and get them involved.

“He had four brothers, three sisters and four children who he absolutely adored, not to mention his girlfriend Cheryl. All his nieces and nephews adored him and would call him Dan Dan."

Daniel’s partner of 14 years, Cheryl Grieves, 33, said: “The only thing that’s getting us through it is knowing he died doing what he loved - he had seven bikes in the past 12 years.

"Daniel, you are the love of my life. You will always be in our minds and hearts and the family misses you so very much.”

A Just Giving page has now been set up to raise money for the funeral.

Sheila, 63, added: “When he was little, he went to Temple Sutton Primary School and Milton Hall Primary School, before going to what was then known as Prittlewell High School. Throughout his life he did ground work for roads as well as painting jobs.

"He loved every second of it.”

Visit the Just Giving page at https://bit.ly/33OCEnI