HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a kind-hearted teenager with an “infectious smile” who died in a motorcycle crash in Verwood.
George Pearson Dawson, 17, from Blandford sadly died at the scene of the crash on the B3072 Verwood Road in the early hours of Saturday morning.
In the hours since the tragic incident, friends of the much-loved teenager have set-up a fundraiser to help George’s family with funeral costs.
Read more: Boy, 17, dies in motorcycle crash in Verwood
It has raised more than £4,600 in less than a day, with friends, family and even former teachers donating money.
George’s sister, Madeline Pearson Dawson, told the Daily Echo: “George was a funny character, always kind to others when they were kind to him.
“He had so many friends and a big family who truly loved him.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to the friends who set up the fundraiser and to those who donated and left kind words.
“The money raised will all go towards funeral costs and the supportive words have been such a big help in the grieving process.
“To know George was so loved by so many is comforting to our family.
“Our mum is truly grateful to have such an amazing support network.”
Madeline, 22, added: “Our dad passed away five years ago, now they will rest together.”
Flowers have been laid at the scene in Verwood in tribute to George, who attended Ferndown Upper School.
Dorset Police say they were called to the incident around 12.50am on Saturday morning.
The collision involved a silver Honda motorcycle, which was reported to have been travelling in convoy with a black Yamaha motorcycle.
Officers investigating the crash are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
Inspector Craig Tatton, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the boy who sadly died in this collision, and we are doing all we can to support them.
“We owe it to them to carry out a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances of this incident and I would appeal to any witnesses to either the collision itself, or the manner of driving of the two motorcycles in the moments leading up to it, to please make contact with us.
"I would also ask anyone who was driving in the area and has dashcam fitted to their vehicle to please check their footage for anything that might assist our enquiries.”
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