THE GRIEVING family of a motorcyclist, who died following a collision with an ambulance, have paid tribute to the “dedicated father” who will be remembered for his “generosity of spirit”.

Kenneth Mellor, from Pendennis Close, Winklebury, Basingstoke, was riding his red Triumph Daytona bike on June 15 when, a police spokesman said, he crossed the central reservation of a dual carriageway and went straight into the path of an ambulance on an emergency call.

Mr Mellor, who was known as Tony, had been with his 19-year-old son Mark, who was on another motorcycle, on the A3093 near Andover when the fatal accident happened shortly after 6pm.

Mark had just been for an interview to join the police service, and his family said it was “a perfect evening for a ride together”.

Paying tribute to Mr Mellor, the family said: “Tony was a dedicated father to his son Mark. They spent much time together enjoying the outdoors.

“Tony’s love of nature was shared through his small woodland in Dorset. Father and son spent many a happy weekend camping in the woods, teaching Mark about conservation and wildlife, building campfires and cooking in the open-air.

“They also shared a love of motorbikes, spending happy summer evenings riding in the Hampshire countryside, stopping for refreshment and returning home to reflect upon the journey.”

Mr Mellor, who was 52, was born in Elland and brought up in Halifax. He gained a BSc in mechanical engineering from Brunel University, Uxbridge, before moving to Hampshire when he changed careers to telecommunications, computer engineering and project management.

Mr Mellor had lived in Germany for several years but returned to the UK nearly every weekend to spend time with his son.

Mr Mellor’s family said he would be greatly missed. They added: “He will be remembered for his generosity of spirit, charitable nature and above all the love and commitment he showed to his son Mark.”

Following the tragedy, a section of the A3093 was closed for four hours while a full investigation was carried out. The two paramedics in the ambulance were not injured.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said: “The ambulance was en route to a medical emergency and was travelling at 55-60mph on blue lights and sirens.”

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are appealing for anyone who saw the motorcycle or ambulance immediately before the incident to get in touch.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Mr Mellor. Anyone with information that can help the police inquiry into the accident should contact Sgt Andy Tester, at Whitchurch Roads Policing Unit, on 101, quoting Operation Rill, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.