TRIBUTES have been paid to a motorcyclist and a pedestrian who died in a collision on the A40 dual carriageway at Whitchurch.

The crash happened between the westbound turn off for Whitchurch village and Symonds Yat Spar Services around 7.50pm on Thursday, September 27.

The victims were named last week as Rob Boyd, 29, of Walford, and Tom Wheeler, 34, of Whitchurch.

Former Monmouth man Mr Boyd, who was riding a red Yamaha motorbike when the accident happened, worked at Timpsons in Ross-on-Wye and had a son.

Mr Wheeler, who was married with a child, was a tattoo artist who ran the 187 Tattoo parlour in Whitchurch.

He had also worked at the Rainforest Exotics reptile store in Ross-on-Wye.

In a tribute, father-of-one Mr Boyd’s family said: “Rob had one of the kindest hearts going. He was always willing to help anyone out and had so much love and admiration for his son.

“He had a passion for music and motorbikes and will always be remembered for his laid back and warm nature.

“Rob always left a mark wherever he went and we’re all devastated from the news and it still hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”

Floral tributes left beside the road included one with the message ‘Ride Hide Boydie’ and another saying ‘To Rob, I’m going to miss you brother’.

Tributes to Mr Wheeler, who originally came from Newent and was a passionate eco-campaigner, were posted online.

One said: “Thinking of Tom’s family at this tragic time, rip Tom, tragically sad news. Xx,” while another said, “RIP Tom. Thinking of your family. Lovely guy top tattooist.”

One poster said: “They say the best go first.. you dont know how loved and missed you are!

“You had big dreams and wanting to save the ocean all that plastic and rubbish, such a good heart, missed by many loved by all.”

The road between Monmouth and Ross was closed for more than eight hours while emergency services cleared the scene, and reopened shortly after 4am following repairs to the westbound carriageway.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found a motorcyclist who had suffered very serious injuries.

“Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“A short distance away a second man was found, and again, sadly, nothing could be done to help him and he was also confirmed dead at the scene.”

Officers said it is thought the bike collided with the pedestrian, and want to speak with any witnesses or anyone who has dash cam footage of the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 700S of 27 September.

Herefordshire Coroner’s Court opened the inquest into the deaths last Wednesday (October 3).