The family of a teenager killed in a motorcycle accident at the weekend have paid tribute to their "amazing boy".

Last night the messages for Miguel Franco were still pouring in on three memorial Internet sites on Facebook.

At his school at Warwick Academy, students even dedicated a motorcycle parking space to him, placing candles, flowers and tributes in his favourite spot.

Miguel's family yesterday described the 17-year-old as "a light that came into all our lives", saying their lives would never be the same.

Miguel was the son of Angelo and Isabel Franco of Astwood Road, Paget.

He also leaves a brother, Paul, sister, Candida, and girlfriend, 17-year-old Julia Furtado.

The teenager died after the motorcycle on which he was a passenger collided with a truck and a car in Middle Road, Warwick, at midday on Friday.

He suffered fatal head and internal injuries and lost his fight for life at 4.30 a.m. on Sunday.

Yesterday, his grieving family spoke of their love for him. Miguel's mother Isabel, 56, said: "I am very proud of him because he was so smart in school. "He gave us a lot of happiness when he was born, but the happiness of the house has gone now."

His older brother Paul, 32, said: "Everyone is taking this hard but I am just happy and blessed I had him as a brother.

"Anyone who ever had the chance to meet Miguel, it will stay with them.

"I am 15 years older but found so much inspiration in him. He's an amazing boy and I am proud of the way he lived."

Mr. Franco, who owns a construction company, said: "Miguel was a real people person, he could relate to anybody. Everyone's life he entered into in some shape or form, he touched that person. You could find him with friends of his own age, but also sitting down with a 60-year-old having a long conversation. He was friends with everyone, and everyone just loved being with him."

Miguel, also known as Miggle, was an International Baccalaureate student but was interested in working in the construction industry. His brother said: "Miguel was very gifted with his hands and mechanically, he could make things work. He loved to strip engines and get them running again."

Mr. Franco's wife Sonia, 27, added: "He was very hard-working and active. He was also a very giving person."

Candida Medeiros, 29, a legal assistant at XL, said her brother enjoyed going fishing with his 57-year-old father and also supported the Benfica football team and national side, Portugal.

"Miguel's passion was football and he was very proud of his heritage," said Mrs. Medeiros. "He was a light that came unexpectedly into my parents' lives, and all of our lives, but then left early."

Miguel was also close to his nieces, three-year-old Milena Medeiros and one-year-old Liana Franco. Mrs. Medeiros said: "He loved children, and was always happy and joking."

Her husband Tony, 31, said: "Miguel's death was a tremendous shock for everyone. He was the type of person who no one ever said anything bad about. I feel like he has given us all an example in life."

Mr. Medeiros described Miguel's girlfriend Julia, a student at Berkeley Institute, as the teenager's "true love".

He said: "Julia is really sad. They had been together for more than a year and were planning their life together. He told me that she was the girl of his dreams and that he loved her. It was a true love."

At Warwick Academy, the secondary school will close at 12.45 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) to allow staff and students to attend Miguel's funeral. The service takes place at St. Theresa's RC Cathedral in Hamilton at 2 p.m. followed by internment at the Holy Calvary Cemetery in Devonshire.

Acting Principal Harry Patchett said: "I imagine quite a large percentage of the students will attend, and all of years 12 and 13, whom he was particularly close to. I think it is helping the family a great deal to know how much Miguel was liked and admired."

Miguel's family is asking for flowers or donations in his memory to Warwick Academy, at 117 Middle Road, Warwick, PG 01.

The teenager was the second victim to die from a road traffic accident at the weekend.

Rudell Smith, 48, of Southampton, was killed when his motorcycle collided with a teenage cyclist and a pedestrian in Ord Road, Paget, on Saturday.

Mr. Smith's funeral service takes place at the Heritage Hall Worship Centre in Hamilton at 2 p.m. on Friday.