AN elderly man who died in a tragic moped crash has been named locally as Ian Hooke.

Mr Hooke, now believed to be in his 80s, collided with a parked car while riding along High Street, Wivenhoe, on Wednesday afternoon.

He lost control of the bike having taken ill, before ploughing into the other vehicle at about 12.55pm.

It is thought he was on his way home.

Friends have begun to pay tribute to the man they regarded as a familiar face in Wivenhoe.

One resident, who asked not to be named, had known him for more than a year.

She said: “Ian Hooke was one of Wivenhoe’s great characters.

“He lived for his boats and had enjoyed a day out on the river just a few days before he passed.

“He was a keen reader and could speak several languages including Russian. He was also generous and funny.

She added: “Despite his age, he was fiercely independent until the day he died which is exactly how he would have wanted it.

“Ian will be missed by the whole community in Wivenhoe.”

Off-duty firefighter Brendan Gibbs, 33, of Little Clacton, revived Mr Hooke three times before paramedics took him to Colchester Hospital.

He spent 20 minutes giving CPR, assisted by Andrew Hearn, assistant groundsman of Wivenhoe Town Council, and also an on-call firefighter.

The pair were first on the scene with Mr Gibbs having witnessed the accident standing outside of Wivenhoe Library.