Big-hearted biker Matthew Stuart died ‘doing what he loved’

Matthew Stuart, 36, from Ballynahinch, died at the scene following what police described as a one vehicle road traffic collision on the Spa Road in the town shortly after 1pm on Thursday.

His brother Richard posted to Facebook yesterday: “I lost my brother today.

“He was on his motorbike in the sunshine, doing what he loved, something went wrong and now he’s in heaven.

“Standing in the sun with you today just didn’t seem real.

“You are so loved. We’ll be with you again.”

Speaking to the News Letter, Richard told of his brother’s love of life and how he had overcome cancer early in life: “Our precious brother Matthew should have turned 37 on Saturday.

“He loved cars, motorbikes and anything fast but most of all he loved his friends and family.

“He had the biggest heart and always made time for people.

“Mum and dad loved him so much. He was their precious baby boy and our Peter Pan.

“They built such a beautiful life for us and made sure we knew we were truly loved.

“We have so many happy childhood memories together – where there was one, the other two were close behind.”

He continued: “We were the three amigos through thick and thin and always looked out for each other.

“Whether crammed together in a caravan or out roaming the fields, we were happy.

“Despite the mischief, cuts and bruises, breaking of floorboards, we were so happy.”

Matthew had got engaged to Lisa White in October last year and the couple had been planning their wedding next year.

Richard said: “He met the love of his life with Lisa.

“They were planning their future together and were to be married on September 25, 2021.

“They were so unbelievably happy together and we loved the beautiful couple that they were.

“They had the best time making their little home together and all their wonderful adventures together.”

His brother said: “He had such a love for life and just breezed through with a cheeky grin and a twinkle in his eye.

“He had already overcome so many things in his life from cancer to other accidents that he shouldn’t have been able to walk away from.

“He always bounced back. But this time it’s different. He has left a massive hole in all our hearts.”

Matthew was the much loved and loving son of Terry and Liz, devoted fiancé of Lisa (White), brother of Richard and Fiona, brother-in-law of Karen and Ian (McAuley) and uncle of Jack, Harry, Elijah and Cain.

The house and funeral are to be strictly private owing to current regulations.

The family asked for immediate family flowers only and donations if desired, made payable to NI Cancer Fund for Children c/o Douglas Funeral Directors, 20 Dromore Road, Ballynahinch, BT24 8HP.

Following Matthew’s death on Thursday the police appealed to anyone who was in the area and captured the incident on their dash cam to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 990 16/04/20.