Police appeal for witnesses as shocked mother left to reflect on the loss of ‘loyal’ sonBy Gareth FinighanDevoted father Avonn Browne died after celebrating his birthday with family and friends, his heartbroken mother has revealed.And the skilled carpenter and electrician had also been looking forward to walking his daughter down the aisle after she recently became engaged.Mr Browne died on Monday evening — his 41st birthday — after his motorcycle collided with a wall on Harbour Road in Paget at around 10.30pm.He is the seventh person to die on Bermuda’s roads this year.Yesterday Mr Browne’s mother, Joan Vidale, described her son as “an A1 father” who was devoted to his daughter, 22-year-old Ayzha, and seven-year-old son, Tavonn.“He lived and worked for his children and was devoted to them,” Ms Vidale said.Mr Browne attended the Berkeley Institute and graduated from Devonshire Academy and attended Bermuda College. He worked as a self-employed carpenter, and always took great pride in his craft.“He could be very serious and was very meticulous with his job, but he also had a sense of humour to die for,” Ms Vidale said.“He had a very dry sense of humour — smart lips. He would shoot from the hip all the time and he didn’t skin up for anybody.“Everyone knew what they were getting with Avonn, and once you met him, you wouldn’t forget him.Mr Browne, who had four brothers and a sister, had spent Monday with his girlfriend and family on Riviera Crescent in Southampton celebrating his birthday.Ms Vidale said that she last saw her son at around 7.30pm, when she gave him a birthday gift.Shortly after, Mr Browne drove into Hamilton to meet up with a friend who was also celebrating a birthday.“I didn’t hear anything more from him until I got a call from my daughter at around 11pm,” Ms Vidale said.“She had heard that Avonn had been in an accident and was at the hospital.”Ms Vidale’s initial concern was that her son may have broken his leg again.He had badly damaged the limb in a bike accident when a teenager and his mother was worried that a second break could leave him permanently disabled.But before she could leave home to visit her son, she received a second call from the hospital.“A doctor told me that we should get the family together and get over to the hospital. That left a dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach as I knew then that something terrible was wrong,” she said.Once at the hospital Ms Vidale and other relatives were told that her son had been found unconscious at the crash scene.His heartbeat could not be detected and attempts to resuscitate him failed.“The bottom fell out of my world,” Ms Vidale said.“He has left a gap that cannot ever be filled. We loved Avonn so much.“As a mother, you appreciate that all your children have different personalities and they all have their own merits, and Avonn was special in his own unique way.Yesterday Ms Vidale’s home was flooded with relatives and friends calling to pay their condolences to Mr Browne.“Avonn had tonnes of friends — so many have been here, it’s been like Grand Central Station,” Ms Vidale said.“I’m glad about that. It says a lot about Avonn, it speaks volumes about him.“He was an incredibly loyal person. He was loyal to his brothers and sister as well as his children. His family meant everything to him.”Last night police issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to Monday night’s accident to come forward.“The investigation into this fatal collision is ongoing and witnesses, specifically anyone who may have seen the collision, are encouraged to come forward,” a police spokesman said.“In addition, anyone who was with Mr Browne immediately prior to this collision or knew his whereabouts on Monday evening should contact the Roads Police Unit on 295-0011.“The Bermuda Police Service extends condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Browne.”