TRIBUTES have been paid to an ‘exceptional police officer’ from Teignbridge who died in a road accident at the end of May.

Retired Ian Wyle, 64, of Tedburn St Mary, who served 30 years as a Devon officer, died at the scene when his motorcycle collided with a car at Beaford in the north of the county on May 27.

He was riding his Triumph Bonneville 865 when it was involved in a collision with a white Volvo C30 car on the A3124.

His family said this week: ‘We are all devastated at the loss of our lovely husband, father, "Grumpy", son and brother.

‘Over his 30 years of service as a police officer across Devon, Ian became an integral part of the communities he worked with and became a friend to many.

‘A seasoned biker who had been riding motorbikes for nearly 50 years, he was considerate and treated the road with respect and loved nothing more than riding out in all weathers.

‘Family and friends are heartened that Ian died doing something he loved. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.’

Police chiefs also added their tribute with Insp Gareth Twigg chipping in: ‘Ian joined Devon and Cornwall Police in 1972 as a police constable where he served the force across Devon for 30 years.

‘He retired from his last post, in the Tiverton area, in 2002.’

He added: ‘He was an exceptional police officer – and we are extremely sorry for the loss of Ian. Our thoughts are with all of his friends and family at this hard time.’

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the collision. Emergency services were called to the accident scene at 3.10pm on May 27, a Saturday.

The road was closed for more than nine hours while officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit and the Roads Policing Team carried out an investigation at the site.

Anyone able to help the investigation is asked to contact police via [email protected] or telephone 101, quoting log number 592 of 27/05/17.