A SENIOR naval officer was killed in a motorcycle crash near his Yelverton home last Wednesday evening.

Lt Cmdr Mark Middlebrook, 42, lived at Christmas Cottage, Devon Tor Road, with his wife and three teenaged children. They had lived there since 1993.

Riding his small Yamaha along the A386 towards his home from Plymouth at just after 6pm, Lt Cmdr Middlebrook's motorcycle was in collision with an orange Mercedes Vito van and a blue Renault Mégane Scenic near to the Moorland Links turn off.

A pregnant woman driving the Renault was taken to hospital suffering shock, but was released soon after. The male van driver was uninjured.

Lt Cmdr Middlebrook was deputy in charge of training at HMS Raleigh. He was born in Cheshire and joined the Merchant Navy at 18, where he met his wife, Elizabeth. They were married in 1982.

In 1988 he joined the Royal Navy and quickly rose through the ranks. After various postings overseas and at home he was appointed to HMS Raleigh earlier this year.

He recently took to a motorbike to avoid the traffic problems at Torpoint.

Lt Cmdr Middlebrook was a keen sportsman, playing cricket and rugby, and an avid scholar.

A service is to be held this week.