THE best friend of a Co Down motorcyclist killed in a crash on Sunday has said he was "one in a million".
Jay Curtis Reardon (21), from Holywood Hills, sustained fatal injuries when his motorbike was involved in a collision on the Belfast Road in Newtownards.
It is believed to be the second road-related tragedy to hit the Reardon family as Jay's older David brother also died in a crash a number of years ago.
The 21-year-old was due to be best man at his friend Dan Dyer's wedding in just over two weeks.
Mr Dyer paid a moving tribute to his "brother", who was also godfather to his daughter Lily.
"You were one in a million mate, I have had amazing memories with you," he said in an online post.
"You still are my best man Jay, I won't let anyone replace you. You will be beside me throughout the whole day mate it might only be a picture but you'll be with me all day. You'll still have a seat beside me on the top table," he added.
Other friends took to social media to leave messages of sympathy with some tributes describing him as a "gentle giant" and a "lovely and genuine gentleman".
He played goalkeeper for Comber Star Football Club and a spokesman said they were "absolutely stunned and gutted" to learn the tragic news.
"One of life's truly nice guys taken too early. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time," they said. As a mark of respect last night's training session was cancelled.
Described as a man who "loved his bike" friends will take part in a special bike run on Sunday afternoon. The planned route will go along the Newtownards Peninsula down to Portaferry and then back to Holywood via Ballywalter charting the last full journey the Holywood man took on his motorbike.
Holywood DUP councillor Stephen Dunne said the community had been left "numb" following the tragedy.
"Our sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. They're a family that would keep themselves to themselves and I'm sure they're devastated at this tragedy," he said
Police have made an appeal for witnesses to the collision which happened at around 12.50pm on Sunday close to the junction with Milecross Road.
