A DEVASTATED family today spoke of their grief at the loss of a beloved son.Murrell Keys was killed on Saturday night in Framlingham as he went out on his motorbike to see his best friend.

By Jessica Nicholls

A DEVASTATED family today spoke of their grief at the loss of a beloved son.

Murrell Keys was killed on Saturday night in Framlingham as he went out on his motorbike to see his best friend.

The accident happened at around 6.30pm when he was involved in a collision with a First Eastern Counties bus.

Station Road was closed for several hours. His death accident brings the toll on Suffolk's roads to 46 this year and is the second fatality of a motorbike accident this weekend.

His distraught mother Kendra at their family home in Orford Road, Bromeswell, near Woodbridge, relived memories of their dream holiday to New Zealand together just a few weeks ago.

She said: "He loved it there, we had a wonderful time together, we went sailing then up mountains, it was absolutely fabulous."

The trip had been a late 18th birthday present for the youngster who had been studying a mechanics' course at Suffolk College. A popular young man he had just become godfather to his best friend's baby.

His 17-year-old sister Kenna is also due to have a baby in January.

Murrell also leaves his 16-year-old girlfriend, Kerry, who he had been with for a year.

Poignantly the youngster died the day before his father's Stephen's 50th birthday. Murrell loved his mother and was not afraid to show her affection in public.

She said that at 6ft 1in he towered above her and would often come and put his arms around her head, even in the middle of Ipswich.

He also had an iguana called Ellesse and was passionate about his music and motorbikes.

Art was also a strong point and he enjoyed drawing.

His father Stephen told of how proud he was of his name, which came over with William the Conqueror.

He said: "He was very proud of his name, if anybody mispronounced it he would go so mad.

"He was very precious to us all and he touched everybody's hearts that knew him."

Kendra said that Murrell was extremely close to his brother Ross, 24, and Kenna.

She said: "Ross just keeps asking "Why my little brother?"

"Kenna and Murrell were very close although they would not admit it, but he would have protected her to the end."

Family friend Nikki Faid came from her home in Cirencester when she heard the terrible news.

She said: "I have known Murrell since he was little and seen him grow taller and taller and taller. He was just such a nice person and would do anything for anybody."

The family said they want to thank everybody for the support and phone calls and for the amount of flowers that have been laid at the scene of the accident.