IPSWICH: A grieving mother has spoken of her “total shock” at discovering her son had been killed in a road crash, just hours after speaking to him on the phone.

IPSWICH: A grieving mother has spoken of her “total shock” at discovering her son had been killed in a road crash, just hours after speaking to him on the phone.

In what Cheryl Hegyes described as a typically selfless gesture, son Matthew Page had called to help with her car insurance - but it would be the last time the two would talk.

The 34-year-old's death in a motorcycle crash in Clapgate Lane on Monday night was the second tragedy Mrs Hegyes has faced in the last decade, following the death of her husband from cancer eight years ago. She said her son had been there for her, as he always was when she needed him to be.

When her first marriage ended in divorce, Matthew became “her little man of the house”. He was only four at the time but would continue to look out for his mother, while making a success of himself, throughout his life.

And when Matthew's stepfather, Geza, died he was there by his mother's side again.

Mrs Hegyes, of Blair Close, Ipswich, said: “I was reeling from it but he was absolutely wonderful. He was a wonderful son. I don't think he had an enemy in the world.”

Mrs Hegyes, whose father died in an industrial accident when she was 16 and whose grandfather was killed in a road accident in 1986, said: “This is the third tragic death in my lifetime. It doesn't half rock your faith.”

Matthew, of Platters Close, went to Britannia Road Primary School before moving on to Copleston High. From there he went to sixth form at Northgate and then studied at the University of East Anglia.

He worked for AXA in Ipswich after leaving school but moved to London to work as a chartered accountant in London.

He leaves behind eight-year-old daughter Bethany and 11-year-old stepson Thomas, as well as nephews, Jack, 14, Toby, ten, and four-year-old Acer.

Pay tribute to Matthew - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Matthew's sister Melissa Spurling, 36, described her younger sibling as caring and devoted.

“Matthew was a loving caring and kind brother to me and my family,” she said.

“He was a devoted uncle to my boys and an excellent brother-in-law to my husband Carl.”

Matthew met his girlfriend, Orla Carabine, during a visit to Ipswich Hospital, where she worked at the time.

She said: “You will be my brightest star in the sky and can't ever be replaced.”

Crash investigators are still looking into the cause of the collision which happened around 7pm and anyone who may have seen either the black Ford Maverick or the blue Kawasaki motorcycle involved is asked to call Pc Richard Godden at the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.