Croydon father, 24, killed in motorcycle crash described as 'the best dad in the world'

The fiancée of Liam Barden has paid tribute to the father-of-two who was killed when his motorbike hit a tree while riding with friends in Bromley
Devoted father: Liam Barden, who had two daughters, with fiancée Kirsty Rose
Matt Watts6 October 2015

The fiancée of a young father killed when his motorbike smashed into a tree today said he was “the best dad in the world”.

Liam Barden, 24, died while riding with friends in the suburb of Keston, Bromley, last Wednesday evening.

Witnesses said the father to daughters, aged two and three, had been travelling in a convoy with his friends when he lost control of his motorbike.

It hit a tree in Downe Road at about 9.15pm and he was thrown several metres into a tree and wall. His friends battled to save him, giving CPR before paramedics arrived.

Mr Barden, from New Addington, Croydon, was pronounced dead at the scene. Devastated friends and family have visited it to leave flowers, messages and light candles.

His fiancée Kirsty Rose fought back tears as she told the Standard: “He was the best dad in the world to his two daughters, that’s all anyone needs to know.”

In a card, she wrote: “My Liam, words can’t express how much I love you and will always miss you.”

A message left on behalf of his daughters said: “Our dear daddy, you’re my best friend ever. We love you.”

Mr Barden, an experienced motorcyclist who also loved quad-biking and fishing, worked as a window fitter.

Lorraine King, the mother of one of his closest friends, said: “He loved his girls — they always came first. His girls and Kirsty were his life. It’s just awful now for those two beautiful daughters, growing up without a father.”

The accident happened at the end of carpenter Terry Moody’s driveway.

He said: “Another motorcyclist was giving him CPR. He was doing everything he could to bring him back.

“The motorbike was wrapped around the tree and his helmet had come off.

"When the paramedics stopped working on him and they said he was gone they [his friends] begged them to keep going.

"They were just distraught.”

Witnesses are asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0208 285 1574.

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