A 21-year-old man who died following a motorbike collision between Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh has been named.
Alexander Birnie, 21, of Burnley, died at the scene of the incident on the A683 on August 25.
His sister, Isabelle, 17, wrote: “My big brother, Alex was an idiot — but the funniest idiot you’d ever meet and quite frankly, he was my idiot. He had this way of winding me up, making fun of me, pushing every button he could but the second I needed him, he was there. No hesitation. First one by my side.
“He loved his bikes more than anything, and he had this dream of one day racing on a track. He talked about it like it was already going to happen, and honestly, with the determination he had, I believe it would have.
“Everybody loved him. He had this energy, this presence, that pulled people in. And if you were lucky enough to be his friend, you knew he’d ride or die for you.
“One time, he even commissioned me to take photos for him, promised me a fiver for the job. I’m still waiting for that fiver. One day, I’ll collect it. Consider that a warning, big bro.
“But jokes aside, he wasn’t just my brother. He was my safe place, my protector, my best friend. The person who could make me laugh when I wanted to cry, and the person I always thought I’d have by my side for the big moments in life.
“And now, I have to face those moments without him. My kids will never get to have him as their uncle. He’ll never get to meet my husband, never get to stand by me on my wedding day, never get to see my dreams come true — or live out his own.
“And that’s what hurts the most. The sky looks brighter with you up there, just like life did when you were here.
“Goodbye, big brother. I love you more than words will ever be able to say.”
