The family of Daniel Robbie have spoken of their heartache as they were told of his death on the same day his five-month-old son was due to have a life-saving heart operation.

Speaking about the 23-year-old’s tragic death for the first time, his mother and partner have paid tribute to the devoted father-of-three, who was killed after being struck by a van while riding a scooter on the Upton Bypass last year.

Kelly, his partner of seven years, said the family knew something terrible must have happened after Danny disappeared the day before the couple’s youngest son Charlie was due to go into hospital.

“Two weeks before we were told Charlie needed open heart surgery. We knew he had a heart problem but we didn’t realise how serious it was until then,” she said.

“We were all really worried. We know he shouldn’t have been on that scooter but he was trying to get home so he could spend the day with his family before Charlie’s operation.”

The family became increasingly concerned for Danny’s welfare after no one had been able to contact him since he left a house party in Sturminster Marshall early on Saturday, September 14. His body was discovered in undergrowth by the side of the road the following day.

“We had to leave the house at 10am on the Sunday to go to the hospital. We all knew something bad must have happened for him not have been here,” Kelly said.

Julie Croucher, Danny’s mother, stayed at her home to wait for news of her son while the rest of the family took Charlie to hospital.

“When I found out they had found his body I couldn’t tell the girls at first. Charlie was supposed to be having his operation. It was horrible.” she said.

Due to the circumstances, Charlie, who had been diagnosed with a narrowing of the aorta, was sent home from hospital and the operation was rearranged.

The youngster, who is now making good progress, had the operation three weeks later – two days after his father’s funeral.

Kelly said: “He [Danny] was so happy when I told him I was going to have a little boy. Now he’s never going to get to see him growing up.”

The couple had three children together, Lily, aged six, Daisy, aged three, and Charlie, who is now 17-months-old. Danny was also step-father to Kelly’s 18-year-old daughter Kyla.

“He was the best dad,” Kelly said. “He was just amazing.”

Julie added: “He was so kind and caring. We all miss him every day.”