The family of a 23-year-old from Hertfordshire who tragically died after a motorcycle accident have paid tribute to his patient, caring and loving nature, saying he inspired all he met.

Thomas Auger, known as Tom, was travelling along Long Ley in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday 27 March when he came off his Yamaha.

His mother said: "Tom was always a very happy, full of life, child. He had learnt to ride his bike by age four and was fearless.

"If he set his mind to something, he would practice over and over until he achieved what he'd set out to achieve.

"This attitude helped him advance quickly in his karate as he would practice his stances and katas constantly to perfect the techniques. He loved being physically active and when he wasn't training for, or teaching, karate, he enjoyed trampolining, gymnastics and indoor climbing. He also had a passion for motorbikes and fast cars.

"Tom's main desire was to help others and he had a beautiful way of being able to connect with everyone he met and inspired many children whilst teaching karate to them. Tom also inspired many an adult in his later pursuit of his activities and within his working career.

"If Tom's passing means that each individual he touched can use just a spark of the love he gave, then the world can be a more peaceful and loving place."

Tom was working towards his stunt register licence when he died and was due to take his Trampoline Stunt Test on 15 April.

He had also enjoyed scuba diving training and had become a qualified PADI diver a week before his passing. He had made contacts with people within the stunt industry and was looking forward to where his chosen career would take him.

Tom was lucky to have some very close friends and he appreciated them all dearly and without judgement. He leaves his mum and dad, three older siblings, Rachel, aged 31, Jake, 27, Emily, 24, and one younger brother, 11. He also leaves two nephews, aged 8 and 3. 

Thomas David Auger, born on 26 February 2001 in Welwyn village, moved to Welwyn Garden City just before his eighth birthday and lived there until his death. 

His first love was karate. He began this at age 6 and had attained his black belt with the Lea Valley Karate Association (LVKA) by the age of 14. He was heavily involved in helping run classes for younger pupils, who looked up to him as a role model due to his patient, caring, loving and accepting nature. He had a way of being able to tune in to what could help others learn and would focus on that. Tom helped teach karate classes at the SPACE Hertfordshire charity where he inspired confidence in others. 

Tom's short career saw him looking beyond teaching karate.

He initially worked for Herts Garden Buildings for a couple of years before starting his own company, Viper Surveillance, installing security cameras and alarm systems.

Inspired by his love for being physically active, Tom toyed with the idea of training to become a stuntman but decided to focus on his immediate career instead. He took on employment as a telecoms engineer progressing then further to a fibre cable installer. 

Tom had ultimately decided that he would pursue a career as a stuntman and so began to focus heavily on training in the disciplines required for this. He was working towards his stunt register licence when he died.

The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this sad and difficult time.