Teenage BMX rider Robbie Pickard, of Melton, killed in road crash
A teenage BMX rider was killed in a crash as he was cycling home from a day at a skatepark.
Robbie Pickard, 19, of Melton, died on Sunday evening on the B6047 Dalby Road, near Great Dalby, when he was involved in a collision with a Ford Focus.
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Chinese lanterns are released by friends at a Melton skatepark yesterday
The crash happened on the unlit road 100 metres from the entrance to an industrial estate on Melton airfield which is home to Terminal 1 Skatepark – a favourite venue of the teenager.
Yesterday, fellow skatepark users laid flowers in memory of their friend at an outdoor skatepark in Play Close, in the centre of Melton.
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In the evening, several hundred people gathered at the park for a vigil and released Chinese lanterns and balloons.
A teenager, who went to the skate park to pay his respects, said he had been riding home with Robbie, but was too upset to comment further.
Rebecca Brown, who jointly owns Terminal 1 Skatepark with husband Mark, said: "I knew him really well.
"He loved the skate park and came here a lot.
"What's happened is tragic. It's awful, I'm gutted for him and his family.
"He was a lovely guy. He has been coming all the time we've been open. He was a very popular lad everywhere.
"He lived for his bike – BMX was his thing.
"He normally got a lift home from a friend who works here. When he came to look round for him to take him home he had gone.
"I've got two boys of my own and for something like this to happen is really tragic."
Mr Brown said: "We are devastated for him and his family.
"Robbie was there from the moment we first laid a plank. He is as much a part of the place as every screw, every piece of wood.
"He was a popular face down here – he was a very good rider.
"I can't imagine what his family is going through."
Police said a number of vehicles were on the road at the time of the collision.
A grey Ford Focus estate and a silver Mercedes estate car were travelling towards Great Dalby from Melton.
Two BMX bikes and a white Vauxhall Astra van were travelling in the opposite direction at the time of the collision between the Focus and purple and black BMX cycle.
Police are appealing for witnesses to contact the force by using the non-emergency number, 101.
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