A dad has today spoken of his heartache at never being able to speak to his son again after the 22-year-old died in a crash.

East Anglian Daily Times: Floral tributes on A14 Sproughton Slip roadFloral tributes on A14 Sproughton Slip road (Image: Archant)

Javiel O’Connor died on Saturday after his Honda motorbike hit a lamppost on the off-slip road of the westbound carriageway of the A14 at Sprougton.

Dad Derek O’Connor, of Shakespeare Road, Ipswich, said: “I’m absolutely devastated at his loss.

“Words can’t describe how I’m feeling and I wish I could have spoken with him as there was so much we needed to say to each other.

“I can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about him and now I’ll never get the chance to speak to him again.”

Mr O’Connor said his son was a former pupil at Castle Hill, Claydon and Thurleston Schools and described his as a “typical boy”.

He was also a dad to three-month-old baby boy Tyler with his girlfriend Chloe Barker.

Mr O’Connor, 63, added: “He was very adventurous and just loved life.

“He had many friends and virtually everyone knew him. He was so popular.

“His younger brother Thaine was very proud of his big brother.

“He was always talking about him and when he was told what had happened to Javiel, he just sobbed and sobbed.”

Javiel, who lived with his mum in Frampton Road, Ipswich, was a brother to Candi, Thaine, Cody, Damien, Jaiden and Kaylen – who has featured in the Ipswich Star with his battle against a brain tumour which has left him blind.

His sister Candi Knock, 41, also of Shakespeare Road, said: “Tyler will be told every day what his daddy was like.

“Everyone is still in shock and it hasn’t hit anyone yet that he’s gone.

“Javiel was cheeky as ever and a total wind up merchant.”

Javiel’s niece Chelsea Knock, 20, added: “He was my uncle but he was like a brother and a friend to me at the same time.

“He was always there.

“We were really close as we were both tearaways but turned our lives around.

“Javiel was such a character and so funny. Even on your worst day he would see you and make you laugh.”

Paramedics and the East Anglian Air Ambulance attended the scene but Javiel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the crash should call the serious collision investigation team on 101.