A teenager who was not wearing a motorcycle helmet was killed after he lost control of the bike he was riding in New Addington.

Mark Gurney, 19, from Biggin Hill died from severe head injuries after the accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The qualified plumber, who ran a business with his dad Michael, was riding the motorbike in Central Parade, New Addington at around midnight.

Following the crash the motorbike, which belonged to a friend, was taken from the scene before emergency services arrived and police are now keen to trace it.

Friends of the “generous and kind boy” have staged a constant vigil at the scene of Mr Gurney’s accident.

One of his friends Danny Spencer was with Mark when he crashed and such is their friendship 18-year-old Mr Spencer has had his friend’s name tattooed on his back in memory of him.

Mr Spencer said: “He was having a laugh and it just got a bit out of hand and he died.

“We didn’t think it was that bad at first because he was not going fast.

“When we got over to him we thought he would have a bad leg or something. When we realised how bad it was we called an ambulance.”

Another of his friends Joey Benham, 17, said: “When we went to the hospital they said he had a major crack in his skull but the doctors said he might pull through.

“Then they came out after and said he had burst his brain and had internal bleeding.”

Mr Spencer said: “I have gotten a tattoo of him because of the memories. I will always know he is there for the rest of my life.

“We are all going to get it done.”

“He was a generous and kind boy who loved riding bikes.

"Like his mother said, he died doing what he loved.”

A police spokesman said: “At this early stage officers believe the motorbike lost control and there was no other vehicle involved in the collision.

“The injured man, aged 19 years-old, was taken to Kings College Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4.50am.”

Det Sgt Paul Sanders from the Collision Investigation Unit at Catford, said: “We have analysed CCTV from the area and we know there were individuals in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

“I am also keen to speak to whoever removed the vehicle from the scene as this could hold vital information as to what caused this tragic incident."

Residents in New Addington and Fieldway have complained about motorcyclists racing around the area.

The police safer neighbourhood team said it constantly receives calls from concerned residents to report off road motorbikes and minimotos being ridden by youths in both a dangerous and illegal manner.

Councillor Carole Bonner, for Fieldway, said: “The biggest problem is the minimotos. Kids who should be adhering to the highway code and wearing helmets are not.

“They are riding on the pavements, on the roads and in the woods.

“They are a danger to themselves and anyone they come across.”

Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to call the witness appeal line on 0208 285 1574.

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