Family handoutThe sister of a 21-year-old man who died in a motorcycle crash has released a poignant tribute to her big brother, describing him as her “protector and safe place”.
Alexander Birnie, from Burnley, Lancashire, died on the A683 between Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh in Cumbria on Monday morning. No other vehicles were involved and police have appealed for witnesses.
His 17-year-old sister Isabelle issued a tribute saying: “My big brother Alex was an idiot – but the funniest idiot you’d ever meet and quite frankly, he was my idiot.
“He had this way of winding me up, making fun of me, pushing every button he could but the second I needed him, he was there. No hesitation. First one by my side.”
She said her brother “loved his bikes more than anything and he had this dream of one day racing on a track”.
“Everybody loved him. He had this energy, this presence, that pulled people in. And if you were lucky enough to be his friend, you knew he’d ride or die for you.
“One time, he even ‘commissioned’ me to take photos for him, promised me a fiver for the job. I’m still waiting for that fiver. One day, I’ll collect it. Consider that a warning, big bro.”
‘What hurts the most’
In a tribute released through Cumbria Police, she described him as “my safe place, my protector, my best friend”.
“The person who could make me laugh when I wanted to cry, and the person I always thought I’d have by my side for the big moments in life.
“And now, I have to face those moments without him.
“My kids will never get to have him as their uncle. He’ll never get to meet my husband, never get to stand by me on my wedding day, never get to see my dreams come true – or live out his own.
“And that’s what hurts the most. The sky looks brighter with you up there, just like life did when you were here.
“Goodbye, big brother. I love you more than words will ever be able to say.”
Cumbria Police is investigating the crash, which was reported just after 11:30 BST on Bank Holiday Monday.
Officers are appealing for any witnesses and thanked those who stopped at the scene to help.
