The devastated parents of a 13-year-old schoolboy who died in a motorbike crash have paid loving tribute to their 'popular and kind-hearted' son.
Mason Wright was riding his KTM bike at a former motocross site in South Bank when he was involved in a smash with another motorcyclist.
CPR was performed on the teen by family friends and paramedics at the scene before he airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough.
Despite doctors' best efforts, they were unable to save Mason and he tragically lost his life on June 19 last year.
Assistant Coroner Karin Welsh concluded at Teesside Coroner's Court last week that his death was the result of an accident, according to Teesside Live.
Steven, 37, said: "He was happy-go-lucky. He was a good kid.
"He was very popular. Even when I go to his grave now there's always kids sat there - both lasses and lads.
"Mason was a kind-hearted, outgoing person who loved being around his family and friends.
"Everyone who met him took a shine to his shy but cheeky personality, which grew daily alongside his confidence."
The couple, who live in the Pallister Park area of Middlesbrough, said Mason enjoyed riding from a very young age.
They said he grew up watching Steven and his older brother Lee, 21, riding quad bikes and motorbikes.
Steven, who works as a crane driver, said: "He did ride from a very young age. He loved it, he lived for it.
"I did it all with my father. It was always a family thing until the tragedy."
Nicola, 40, added: "At three years old he was on his first petrol quad."
On the day of his death, Mason spent the morning at Manjaros restaurant on Linthorpe Road with friends.
Steven then took Mason and his younger brother Kenton, six, to meet up with family friends at the site in the afternoon.
He said Mason did not initially ride as they had forgotten to bring two stroke oil for his bike but he was given some by another family.
Steven said the kids were playing on the motorbikes and quads around the track for around two hours before the collision occurred.
He said he was told about the crash by the other rider's family member, who was waving and shouting, and he jumped on a quad bike to get to Mason.
Steven, who has a portrait of Mason's face on his right arm, said: "Nobody saw the crash, it happened on a bend.
"As soon as I got there I knew he was dead straight away. As soon as I looked at him through his helmet the colour of him wasn't right.
"I went into a meltdown because it wasn't Mason that was lying there."
Nicola, who is a cleaner at Unity City Academy, said: "He phoned me and I could just hear him screaming. I went 'Steven what's up' and he said 'I think Mason's dead'.
"I ran out screaming and my oldest boy Lee put me in the car and we headed off over to the track."
Mason's family followed the air ambulance to the hospital where staff were still trying to save his life.
Nicola said: "We had to give the nod to say stop."
Steven added: "I knew what was coming, I kept saying it. All they were doing was just confirming it.
"They said he snapped his neck and his spinal cord so there was no hope."
The inquest, which was held at Teesside Magistrates' Court last Wednesday, heard how Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Mark Egan carried out a post mortem on Mason following his death.
The court heard how Dr Egan found his medical cause of death to be a broken neck, consistent with a road traffic collision.
Nicola said they were given a memory box by the hospital which contained a teddy, which Kenton has named 'Little Mason'.
It also included a sheet of paper containing Mason's hand prints which they both plan to have tattooed onto their arms.
Steven and Nicola said Mason attended Pallister Park Primary School before going to Outwood Academy Ormesby.
They said he enjoyed playing on his PlayStation with friends and visiting Manjaros, where he would always order a parmo.
Mason also had a passion for camping and fishing and would be out on his mountain bike at any given opportunity.
Steven said they would go on boys camping trips and would take their fishing rods and a BBQ.
He said: "It was all men and their sons. 90% of the time we went to Osmotherley at Cod Beck Reservoir.
"When they were shooting the Tom Cruise film we tried to go to Pickering camping. They had more or less shut Pickering.
"Tom Cruise was waving out of the helicopter at the kids.
"I couldn't believe it, it's not something that happens every day."
Following Mason's death, a balloon release was held in his memory outside their family home and around 1,000 people attended.
Around 40 motorbikes also took part in a ride from Middlesbrough to Whitby to raise funds for Mason's funeral.
Nicola said: "The balloon release was overwhelming. I have never seen anything like it.
"Even the neighbours did a collection."
Mason's funeral service was held at St Bede's crematorium and his coffin was pulled in a carriage by four white horses.
He was buried at Thorntree Cemetery and his wake took place at Middlebeck Social Club in the town.
There was a limit of 30 people allowed inside the service due to coronavirus restrictions, which were in place at the time.
Nicola said: "He went out with a bang to Bad Boy Chiller Crew.
"They would only let 30 people in but there were hundreds outside.
"They did a live video link so everybody who couldn't get in there could see it."
The couple have praised Rose Funerals in Middlesbrough and the local community for their ongoing support.
Steven said: "Rose Funerals helped us in every way possible. I can't thank them enough.
Nicola added: "They went above and beyond.
"We would like to thank all our family and friends for everything they have done for us."
