Tributes paid to motorcyclist killed in crash at police road block

Melanie Roseanne Lakin, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was killed when the motorcycle she was riding collided with a car which had stopped in a police road block on the A458, near Welshpool at 4.30pm on Sunday.

Her family today issued a tribute to Miss Lakin, who was returning home from a picnic with her boyfriend Oliver at Bala Lake.

The tribute said: "Melanie was a kind, caring and generous person. She was a keen motorcyclist who loved life, people, nature and animals especially her pet cats Hector and Cleo.

"She had just completed her first year at Birmingham City University in Diagnostic Radiography, which she was thoroughly enjoying and was looking forward to a successful career in the NHS combining her love of helping people and a technical, visual subject.

"She had a keen eye and appreciation for photography, music and art and managed to combine all three on many occasions by photographing some of her favourite bands and musicians at music festivals."

Her family added: "She loved the great outdoors. She had been out for a lovely picnic at Bala Lake, North Wales, with her boyfriend Oliver on their motorcycles on a glorious sunny, spring day. During the return journey she tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident.

"She will be sorely missed by her mother Pam, father Nigel, brother Jody, his partner Elena, boyfriend Oliver and the many friends and colleagues who had known her during her all too short 29 years."

The collision happened when a marked police motorcyclist had stopped on the road and was carrying out checks on vehicles in the area.

Several cars had stopped behind the vehicles being examined and the motorcycle collided with one of the them.

Miss Lakin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sharon Reynolds, force spokeswoman, said: "Just prior to the collision, a marked police motorcyclist had stopped and was conducting a vehicle check in the near vicinity.

"A number of cars were stopping behind the stationary vehicles. Initial investigations show that a motorcyclist collided with a car, within the line of traffic behind the police vehicle.

"Because a police vehicle was nearby at the time, Dyfed Powys Police have voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."

Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP said: "This is a tragic accident which happened between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion. Apparently a marked police motorcyclist had stopped to conduct a vehicle check and the deceased cyclist collided with one of the queueing cars.

"This is a very sad story indeed and my thoughts go out to the family and friends of the motorcyclist involved."