Family and friends place flowers at site of teenagers' deaths
David McDonald, 16, of Brook Close, Whipton, died when the motorbike he was travelling on crashed into a central reservation and lamp post on the A3105 Rydon Lane, at around 8pm on Tuesday.
His friend, 15-year-old Shaun Vowden, of Rifford Road, Wonford, also died at the scene on the northbound carriageway between Countess Wear and Middlemoor roundabout.
It is not yet known which boy was driving the blue and white Yamaha trail bike when it crashed and detectives are keen to trace its owner.
As reported in yesterday's Echo, David recently left Barley Lane School, St Thomas.
Speaking exclusively to the Echo, the teenager's parents Karen and David McDonald, thanked their son's headteacher, Michael MacCourt, for his kind words.
They also thanked friends and neighbours who have spoken highly of David and Shaun on the Echo website.
Mrs McDonald, 45, said: “I still cannot believe it. The last time I saw him he was fast asleep on the settee on Tuesday morning. I phoned him at around 7.20pm and asked him if he wanted tea. He said, 'No, I will cook myself something when I come home'. But that never happened.
“I tried to get hold of him for four hours and I knew something was wrong straightaway because he normally answers his phone.”
Part of the A3015 was closed yesterday to allow the family to visit the site of the crash and lay bouquets of flowers delivered to their home in sympathy.
Mr McDonald, 51, said: “David was lovely natured and popular. He had over 100 friends on his Bebo site.
“He had such a quick brain and a sense of humour. For someone who looked like a child he was quite eloquent and knew how to talk to anyone.”
David was due to start a college course in painting and decorating this autumn.
Mr McDonald added: “My hopes for David's future were that he matured, settled down and earned a living — all the things you want for a maturing human being. I would have loved to have seen him marry and carry on the family name.”
Mr McDonald said he tried to curb David's thrill-seeking behaviour, but to no avail.
He added: “I once said to him, 'We are going to be awfully sad standing over your grave with a bunch of flowers,' to try and shock him into stopping, but it didn't work.
“The loss has created a huge hole in our lives which cannot possibly be filled.”
David, who was a talented guitar player and breakdancer, leaves three older sisters, Sarah, 23, Stacey, 21, and Stephanie, 17. Stacey said David's two nieces, Kacey-Leigh and Ruby-Mai, and two nephews, Cameron and Tyler, were besotted with their uncle. She said: “He loved his nieces and nephews to bits and they idolised him.”
Shaun's girlfriend Kim Ellis, 16, has also spoken of her loss and said she is “heartbroken”. She said: “He was lovely. His smile always cheered me up and he just made me so happy.”
She last saw Shaun on the night of her school prom. She said: “He told me that he loved me.
“When I tried to call him on Tuesday he didn't pick up. I know why now.”
Kim said if she could say anything to Shaun it would be: “My baby boy rest in peace. You treated me like your little princess. We had good times together which will never be forgotten. Love you lots, sleep tight.”
David McDonald with his father, also called David
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