The family of young Irishman Brian Hughes, who died following a moped accident on Good Friday, have paid tribute to the people of Bermuda.

They wrote to The Royal Gazette in praise of the enormous support they received following their arrival from Britain after Brian's accident.

Mr. Hughes was a 26-year-old fund accountant who joined Citigroup just one month before the tragedy. He had been driving his rental bike on Crow Lane in Paget at 6.25 a.m. on March 25 when he lost control and crashed into a wall near the junction with Corkscrew Hill.

His family remained at his bedside at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital - and later at the Lahey Clinic in Boston - until Brian died on April 5.

Their statement read: “The family were overwhelmed by the kindness, care, compassion and practical help and support they received from so many people for the three days they spent in Bermuda.

“Sergeant Tracy Burgess, the Police Family Liaison Officer, was there for us day and night.

“She is a treasure among human beings. What she did for us as complete strangers feeling so distressed and heartbroken as we watched our darling son and brother on life support went a million times beyond the call of duty.

“She is also continuing to support us here in Ireland.

“We would also wish to record our heartfelt thanks to Carmel Hanna, a colleague from his days working in Dublin, who sat by Brian's bedside until we arrived and his flatmates Dave Duane and Declan Coyne, former Irish colleagues and friends, who knew him in Luxembourg for their kindness and continued support.

“His landlord Jimmy Simmons, who had only known Brian three weeks, was amazing with his concern and help

“Annie Richardson, human resource consultant from Bermuda Jobs.Com, who had known Brian since October, 2004 through the recruitment and selection process went well beyond her professional duties to help, comfort and support us.”

The family said Citigroup COO Joe Zuiker and everyone in the firm did everything in their power to make the nightmare that bit easier.

They also praised ICU staff at KEMH and Pastor Charley Franks for his spiritual help and for asking Bishop Robert Kurtz to visit Brian and give Brian the Last Rites.

“Brian had a strong Christian faith and this brought us great comfort,” the family wrote.

“Despite their own enormous distress and sorrow, the family and friends of 21-year-old Christopher Pimental, gravely ill in the ICU at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, treated us with great kindness and generosity.

“Christopher we have since (learned) also sadly and tragically died in Boston. We offer our sincere condolences to his parents, brother, family and friends.”

Mr. Hughes had previously worked in Luxembourg, Europe, for four years and for one year with the Bank of Ireland in Dublin.

He took a strong interest in sports including Gaelic Football, golf, boxing, rugby and baseball.

His father Eamon and mother Rosemary, who live in Northern Ireland, survive Brian.

He also has a brother Desmond and sister-in-law Rachael who live in Scotland.