Tributes paid to Nick Brisland who was killed in motorcycle crash in Spring Road, Southampton

Those are among the tributes being paid today to a popular teenager who died tragically in a motorbike crash.

Nick Brisland was pronounced dead at the scene of the smash in Southampton on Friday evening.

The 19-year-old's death has sent shockwaves through the Scouting community in Southampton.

Nick and a friend are believed to have been on their way to a bike meet at Weston Shore when he was involved in a collision with a Peugeot car and a Peugeot taxi in Spring Road, Sholing.

Both the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and a road ambulance were sent to the scene along with a rapid response vehicle.

Paramedics and neighbours desperately tried to save Nick, however he died at the scene.

Police closed Spring Road for more than two hours as investigators attempted to try to piece together what had happened.

Friends, family and members of the Scouting community gathered to lay floral tributes at the scene throughout the weekend.

Many described Nick, a trainee manager at McDonald's in Hedge End and a member of the Itchen North District Scout Network, as a “gentle giant” who had a fantastic sense of humour.

Nick's mother Maria Brisland, 37, from Hythe, described Nick as the perfect son.

Maria, who works at Cutting Edge in Portsmouth Road, Woolston, said: “He was a friend as well as a son. He had a very good sense of humour. He was just an all-round amazing person.

“He was always thinking about me and would always turn up at the shop with flowers for no reason, other than to put a smile on my face.”

In a statement released through Hampshire Police she added:  “Our wonderful son Nick Brisland was a truly wonderful person, a gentleman so kind and so unbelievably thoughtful, full of life and energy and all things fun.

“He bought smiles to everyone's face and literally brightened up the room. He had an awesome sense of humour and he was loved by many. 

“Nothing will ever take the pain away but if this tragedy can do one thing please let it remind anyone who rides a motor bike they are not toys and the road is a dangerous place. One needs to respect the power of the engine beneath the peddle or throttle. 

"Drive with more awareness like an accident is about to happen at any moment. Wear protective clothing. Respect yourself and other drivers as so many lives were ruined yesterday because of this tragedy. 

“Nothing will ever bring our boy back but if his accident can prevent another then not all is lost in vain. 

“Always loved and always missed. 

“Mum.” 

Itchen South Scouts deputy district commissioner Chris Walker told the Daily Echo how Nick was passionate about being part of the annual scout show called Roverang and played a big part in the show at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, just a week before his death.

Chris said: “He was a very bubbly character; he was the life and soul of the party. He was so much into scouting, he was always enjoying adventures and always involved in the activities.

“He was very popular, and he was the one that really stood during the shows.”

“We've had messages from all over the world from other scout groups from as far as Canada, Scotland, America - they don't know him but when this sort of thing happens they come together.”

Maria says she may start a road safety campaign in Nick's memory in a bid to save other bikers from dying in crashes.

Maria added: “I want motorcyclists to be aware that they are not invincible, the road needs to be respected and bikes need to be respected. I just hope him dying won't be in vain.”

Biker friends of Nick - a former pupil at St Monica Primary School and Oasis Academy Mayfield and a former Southampton City College student - will celebrate his life with a ride-out on Saturday, May 2.

It will be starting at McDonalds in Hedge End at 6pm and go to Portsdown Hill near Portsmouth.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or has any information, should call Hampshire police on 101, quoting Operation Gaspee.

NEIGHBOURS have told of the dramatic moments they tried to save Nick Brisland's life.

Joanne Wilbee, 47, heard the collision from her home nearby and said: “There was an almighty smash and when I got out there he was lying in the road. A lady was giving CPR to him and another was holding his hand. He still had his helmet on.

“His friend was standing by there shocked. It's so sad because he was so young.”

Her neighbour Kyle Maidment, 27, said: “I came out to go shopping saw people were rushing over and were turning him over to give him CPR.”

Nicola Knap, 44, also of Spring Road, saw ambulances and police arrive and said: “We saw all the vehicles and police sealing the road off. They were trying to help him for around 20 minutes and tried to do the best for him.

“It's so sad that he's only 19 because that is no age at all.”