A FAMILY has paid a heartfelt tribute to a young man tragically killed in a crash near Ingleton last Friday.

Joseph Michael Keane, 28, from Billinge, near Wigan, Lancashire, died when the Peugeot he was travelling in on the A65 between Clapham and Ingleton was involved in a crash with a white, flatbed truck, which had been converted into a homemade camper van.

The driver of the camper van, who was arrested at the scene, has been released while under investigation to allow for further police enquiries.

A decommissioned ambulance is believed to have been in convoy with the camper van and left the scene of the crash.

Officers followed the vehicle and pursued it in the direction of Skipton, before it crashed into the barrier of a level crossing near Kildwick and ended up on the train tracks.

Paying tribute to Mr Keane, his family said: "It is not possible to describe just how much Joe was loved by his mum and dad, sister, girlfriend and all his family and friends. He was such a kind, considerate loving person and we have been privileged to have had him in our lives for 28 years.

"He had a lovely dry, warm sense of humour which endeared him to whomever was lucky enough to have been in his presence.

"His passions in life were for his family and friends and a love of books. He hated social injustice and advocated for people who were least able to help themselves."

They added: "His loss has left us bereft and the only comfort we have is being surrounded by the people who loved him most.

"He was such a special, beautiful person, we have been enriched by his presence and the pain of his loss means our lives will never be the same again."

Police are now appealing for anyone with any dash-cam footage, or who saw either the converted campervan or the decommissioned ambulance, travelling along the A65 prior to the crash and to anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them if they have not already done so.

North Yorkshire Police described the camper van as "quite distinctive" due to the crudeness of the conversion.

The driver of the decommissioned ambulance has been charged with a number of offences after the vehicle left the scene of the earlier fatal crash.

He is due to appear at Skipton Magistrates' Court on August 17.

He is not under investigation for the fatal crash, but has been charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop for police, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, obstructing a railway and driving without insurance in relation to the Kildwick incident.

Anyone with information about the camper van crash is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Traffic Sergeant Hamish Halloway or TC Gemma Brett.

Or email Hamish.halloway@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or gemma.brett@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Quote reference 12180126976 when passing information.