By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:23, Friday, 05 October 2012

A woman says she has lost the “love of her life”, after her partner died in a motorbike crash.

Paul Fursey

Paul Fursey, 31, was killed in a crash on the A66 at Great Broughton shortly before midnight on Tuesday. His Yamaha bike was involved in a collision with an MG Rover.

The car driver, a 23-year-old man from Dearham, suffered leg injuries.

The keen motorcyclist, who lived in Bolton Low Houses, near Wigton, with his partner Kath Smith, died at the scene.

Social networking sites were filled with tributes to an “awesome guy”, and on Wednesday night Ms Smith took to Facebook to speak of her loss and thank her friends and family for their support.

“I lost the love of my life today and my best friend,” she wrote. “Love you always my baybuee. (sic)

“Thank you all for your calls, txts and posts it means alot x”

Her friends were quick to respond.

Cathy Robinson-Fitzpatrick wrote: “I loved Paul and I Love You – I am a message away with an imaginary arm around you – my dear little Kath.”

Dan Bell added: “I’m heart broken for you kath , he was an awesome guy xxxx”

A statement from Mr Fursey’s family released through the police said he will be “sorely missed” by Ms Smith and his two brothers.

Mr Fursey has worked for various Asda stores across the county for seven years; predominantly in Barrow but more recently in the Workington store, where he worked in the petrol station.

Mark Swift, general store manager at Workington, said Paul made an impression on everyone he worked with. He described Paul as a “conscientious, hardworking and extremely popular colleague”.

Mr Swift added: “Everyone in the store is very shocked.”

Mr Fursey’s real passion was motorbikes, and he and Ms Smith frequently went riding together – celebrating his 30th birthday at a biking event. He turned this love of riding into a fundraising event, joining family members from Millom on the Cumbria Motorcycle Run in aid of Help for Heroes in June 2010.

Tributes on Twitter recalled socialising with him when he lived in Millom, where some of his family members still live.

Ian Cawthorne wrote: “Used to play snooker & darts with him back at Millom. Sad times indeed.”

Craig Heasley said: “RIP Paul Fursey taken away far to soon .”

This sentiment was echoed by Rebecca Watson who added: “I’m good friends with his partner Kath. Just been to see her – just so sad. Lovely guy.”

Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the crash to contact either PC 1312 David Edwards or PC 1544 Lewis Powell at Workington police station on 101.

First published at 11:29, Friday, 05 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk