THE family of a man who died in a crash with a lorry near South Molton a week before his 23rd birthday have paid tribute to their “lovely boy”.

Emergency services were called to the scene on an unclassified road at Kingsland Barton at around 2.55pm on Monday, May 12.

A black Honda Civic car and a brown Scania HGV lorry were involved in the collision.

The driver of the car was 22-year-old Connor Hobbs from South Molton. He died at the scene.

The road was closed while police carried out an investigation. It was reopened at around 11pm.

“The family and friends of Connor Hobbs are devastated by his tragic death... in the collision, a week short of his 23rd birthday,” his family said in a statement.

“We are grateful for the loving comments and pictures that have been shared of our lovely boy who held family and friends dear to his heart.

“We would politely request that we are now left alone to grieve and process the events of his death.”

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with any relevant information or dash-cam footage is asked to contact the force online or by calling 101 quoting log 444 of May 12.