The Limavady man killed in a motorbike accident in Scotland at the weekend has been remembered as a "gentle giant" and someone who was a respected role model.
Paul Bellingham was on his Harley Davidson bike on Friday when he was involved in a four-vehicle crash on the A71 near Hurlford in Ayrshire at around 5.30pm.
The 40-year-old was apparently riding in the rural area with another motorcyclist, who al
ong with their passenger was injured in the collision.
The father-of-two was originally from Ballymoney, but was married to a local girl. They had a five-year-old son and an nine-month-old baby daughter.
The family had recently returned from holiday, but Mr. Bellingham had left last week for a motorbike rally in Scotland with friends
For the past year, Mr. Bellingham worked as a lorry driver for Limavady Community Development Initiative.
LCDI general manager Damien Corr said Mr. Bellingham made a massive impact on everyone he met.
Mr. Corr said: “He was only here a year, but you’d think he was part of the furniture he was so well known. He had such a positive outlook and always had time to chat with everyone. He was very level headed and got on with the job and he had great patience with the younger ones. He led his team by example.”
Mr. Corr said when he heard the terrible news he was in total shock and said LCDI staff are devastated.
Mr. Corr said: “It’s been a very quiet day here today. Paul will certainly be missed, but not just for his work. He was a genuine, good humoured guy and had such a positive outlook. A lot of people will have learned from him.”
He added: “He looked like a big biker but he was a gentle giant.”
Mr. Bellingham is the second person from the Limavady borough to die in a motorbike accident in as many weeks.
Robert Canning from Dungiven died on July 13 in a motorbike accident in Bushmills.
The full article contains 347 words and appears in Journal Tuesday Derry Edit newspaper.
