Close friends and family have paid tribute to a young father and carer killed in a crash between a car and his motorcycle.

Ernest Miller, known as "Della" to his friends, died after his bike collided with a car in Copers Cope Road at the junction of Bridge Road at around 8am on May 13.

The 26-year-old worked as a carer just yards away at Benedict House Nursing Home and had a three-year-old son, also named Ernest.

Paying tribute to her son, mum-of-four Maureen Solomon, 51, told News Shopper: “I took him into the caring world because I’m a carer myself.

“He did his job with pride. He loved his job with even more passion than I do.

“He would never leave one of his clients before making sure they were happy.

“He treated everybody the same.”

Younger brother 24-year-old Javon Miller said: “He was my older brother, a great role model.”

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Floral tributes left at the scene of the crash on Copers Cope Road

Close friend Keeley McIlroy, also 24, said: “He was funny, kind, always made people laugh, he cared about everybody.”

A petition set up by Ernest Miller’s friend, Cameron Gordon, calling for traffic calming measures to be installed along the road where he was killed has received more than 4,000 signatures.

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Following his death, bike group Bike Life TV UK posted a tribute to him on Instagram describing him as an “original member” and one of the first to buy one of its merchandised hoodies.

The group has a YouTube channel with videos showing bikers riding along roads and pavements on motorcycles and quads performing tricks.

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But Javon Miller, of Downham Way, Downham, said his brother was not a member describing them as “close friends, like brothers, not members”.

He said: “He was a close supporter of the group. He helped with the merchandise and stuff like that.”

Ms McIlroy, from Catford, added: “Anybody can wear the hoody.

“Just because you wear the hoody doesn’t mean you are part of a gang.

“It’s not a gang, it’s a group of men that love their bikes.”

The family has advised Ernest Miller's funeral will be held at St Barnabas Church, Downham Way, Downham on June 11.