A YOUNG father has died in hospital after a crash near Blandford on Sunday.

The man, named locally as Fabio Paixao, was seriously injured when his black and red Suzuki 1000c motorcycle was involved in a collision with a silver Honda Civic on the A350 through Spetisbury.

Mr Paixao, who was in his 30s, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with head injuries.

He died in hospital on Monday evening.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said his family are being supported by specially trained officers.

The Civic driver, a 30-year-old woman from Blandford, was not injured in the crash.

Mr Paixao, a former St Peter’s School student, was one of two motorcyclists travelling from Blandford at the time of the collision.

Friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to Mr Paixao, who was a director at Poole-based Good Value Cars Ltd.

One man, who is believed to be the second motorcyclist, said: “I felt so hopeless just being there holding your hand and not being able to do any more “This was not your fault mate.

“I seen it all happen just in front of me.

“There was no where for you to go and no way of avoiding what happened.

“I will be there to try and help in anyway for your family mate “Gone but will never be forgotten.”

Sergeant Mark Farrow, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “It is with sadness to report the motorcyclist has died as a result of his injuries.

“Family liaison officers are supporting his family at this difficult time.”

He called for anyone with information to come forward and speak to officers.

Police were called to the collision at 10.50am.

A road closure was put in place between the Tesco roundabout at Blandford St Mary and the Roundhouse roundabout at Sturminster Marshall.

The road remained closed into the afternoon and police thanked members of the public for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 24:162.