A Shropshire teenager who was involved in a motorcycle crash died in hospital today. The family of Dean Tipping, from Hilton, Bridgnorth, paid tribute to the 18-year-old.

Mr Tipping had been helping out at a local shop while waiting for his approval to follow a career in the RAF.

The letter of acceptance arrived in the post at his home this morning.

The former Oldbury Wells School pupil was initially taken to the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, following the collision on the A442 Cann Hall Road at the junction with the B4363 St John Street on Monday, at 11.15pm.

Jonathan Tipping, his uncle, said Dean was a popular lad who loved going out on his scrambler motorbike.

He said more than a dozen friends arrived at the hospital last night to see Dean.

Mr Tipping said: “Bikes were his life. He was a very outgoing lad with lots of friends. He will be missed by everybody who knew him.

“We also wanted to say a big thank you to all his friends who turned up at hospital to see him.”

Chris Kowalik, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said they received three calls just before 11.20pm.

An off-duty fire officer also arrived on the scene.

Police say the motorcyclist was transferred yesterday to the North Staffordshire University Hospital with serious head and back injuries.

They are now seeking witnesses to the incident involving the teenager’s GPR 50 moped and a Peugeot 106 hatchback, whose driver was uninjured.

The road was closed for about three hours. Further reports suggested that petrol was leaking from the bike.

Richard Ewels, police spokesman, said that it is not unusual for there to be a leakage of petrol or oil on the road after a collision.

Police reports reveal the car was travelling along the A442 Cann Hall Road towards Kidderminster and the motorcycle in the opposite direction.

Constable Keith Rowley, investigating officer, said: “If anyone witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle beforehand, I would ask them to contact me at Bridgnorth on 0300 333 3000.”

By Sophie Bignall