One in a million and “a diamond geezer”, Anthony Clive Medhurst will live long in the memories of those who knew him as dedicated worker who would always help anyone.

Family, friends and work colleagues are having to come to term with Mr Medhurst’s loss, after his death in a crash earlier this month.

A keen biker and skilled mechanic, the 29-year-old, from Robson Drive, Hoo, had been on his way to work at Mr Clutch Autocentre in Canterbury when his bike collided with a van on the M2 near Faversham, at about 8.20am on Friday, June 16.

Still reeling from the news, Mr Medhurst’s family spoke to pay tribute to him.

“There’s no bad to say about him,” said his brother, Richard, 28.

“He was one in a million. He’d drop anything for anyone.

“He was one of those people that kept himself to himself but he had some really close friends. Everyone’s in pieces.

“He was just one of those happy-go-lucky lads, and he didn’t upset anyone.

“He was just all round generous – he was what you’d call a diamond geezer.

“We were really proud of him,” he added. “Anything with an engine – he loved it.

“There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.”

Having gone to Isle of Grain Primary School, then Hundred of Hoo School, Mr Medhurst had gone on to work for Mr Clutch in Strood, where he quickly built a reputation within the company for his skills and work rate.

Younger brother Stefan, 24, who worked with Richard at Mr Clutch, explained he had been an inspiration to his brothers, before becoming an inspiration to many others.

“He was the one that kept us out of trouble,” he said. “He was the only one of us that got grades.

“There isn’t anybody in the country that works for Mr Clutch that didn’t know him – because he always made the most money.

“They kept me and him apart because if we were together no one else got any bonus. It became a bit of a joke.

"He was one in a million. He'd drop anything for anyone" - Anthony Medhurst's brother, Richard

“When he worked at Strood with me, we broke every record they had.

“Now he’s at Canterbury and he was carrying on. Now Canterbury is one of the best sites.”

Popular with customers and colleagues, Mr Medhurst was known not just for his quick work rate, but also for staying on late to finish a job.

“People called him a robot,” added Stefan.

“When he took a holiday they’d say ‘Even a robot needs to recharge its batteries’.

“The customers’ response has been unbelievable.

“It wasn’t even 11am and there were flowers all over place.

“I’ve never known Mr Clutch to shut, but the site at Canterbury is going to close for the day for the funeral.

“I know lots of people that will want to go.”

Outside work, Mr Medhurst loved nights out at the cinema or a pizza restaurant with friends, and was renowned for being able to eat what he wanted without putting weight on.

“It was pizza, cheesy pasta, roast dinner, chicken and chips,” said Richard. “But he never put any weight on. He had hollow legs.”

But his biggest passion remained cars and bikes, and Richard said his Kawasaki 636 – the bike he had been riding when he crashed – had been his pride and joy.

Although he never had children of his own, his brother said he had been a father figure to two others.

He is survived by his brothers Chris and Richard, mum Denise and dad Stephen.

Mandy Lee, 50, manager of Mr Clutch in Simmonds Road, Canterbury, said Mr Medhurst had been her “right hand man” and an indispensable member of her team.

“Anthony was such a good guy, totally irreplaceable,” she said. “He came to Mr Clutch here three-and-a-half years ago.

“His move was only supposed to be temporary, but he stayed because he just loved it here. They wanted him back, but he stayed.

“We were told that he was very shy when he came, but working with us really brought his personality out.

“He was absolutely fantastic – there wasn’t a thing he didn’t know about clutches.

“Anthony ended up being my right hand man. He came to be known as the clutch guru and was the glue which held this place together. He was well into his bikes and would ride his bike to work when the weather was good. He died doing something he loved.

“I worked with him six days a week. I’m absolutely devastated, broken. Anthony was loved by the staff, the customers and the suppliers.”

The crash, which also involved a blue Iveco Daily van, left the M2 closed for more than five hours between junctions 6 and 7.

Police are appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who may have footage caught on a dashcam or other device that may help.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or the moments leading up to it, is asked to call the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538.