Tributes paid to 'charismatic' Royal Navy engineer who died in motorbike crash

A 21-year-old Royal Navy Air Engineering Technician who died in a motorbike crash in Cornwall "lived life to the full and his energy was contagious", according to his family.

Rohan Hicks from Looe was named by police following a collision involving two motorbikes on Wednesday 29 June, on the B3252 at Horningtops between Looe and Liskeard.

Devon and Cornwall Police released the information online, including a message from AET Hicks' family, which said: "Rohan's ambition from an early age was to join the Royal Navy which he did in 2019.

"Rohan was so proud of being an air engineering technician in the Royal Navy and was currently completing his Leading Hand qualification course."

Their statement said he was born in Plymouth and had an older brother Callum and a younger sister Niamh.

"Rohan was described by everyone who knew him as an ambitious, driven, kind-hearted, annoying, and charismatic gentleman, with a wicked sense of humour; he loved his family and friends so much and they all adored him.

"Rohan lived life to the full and his energy was contagious. We have taken a great deal of comfort from the kind messages on social media from both his friends and people who knew him and the family would like to thank everyone for their kindness.

"It would appear that Rohan touched many more lives in a positive way than even his family knew about.

"We have been devastated by his death and our lives and the lives of anyone who knew him will be poorer for no longer having him in it."

Royal Navy tributes have also been paid to AET Hicks, with a spokesman saying: "Air Engineering Technician (AET) Rohan Hicks joined the Royal Navy in September 2019 and spent much of his career training and serving at RNAS Yeovilton with 815 Squadron.

"Rohan joined Royal Navy Air Engineering and Survival School, HMS Sultan from the Wildcat Maritime Force, HMS Heron on 13 June 2022, to begin Leading Air Engineering Technician (Avionics) career course after being successfully selected for promotion. 

"Having previously served on 825 Squadron and 207 Flight, 815 Squadron on board HMS Montrose, he was full of enthusiasm and keen to complete this next phase of training as part of his career within the Royal Navy."

Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, Captain Jo Deakin, said: "Rohan had exceptionally high personal and professional standards and he had yet to realise his full potential within the Royal Navy.

"He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues who highly valued his friendship. We will remember him as a dedicated and passionate sailor and are proud he was part of our Royal Navy family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Rohan's family and friends at this time," she added.

Air Engineering Officer of 815 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), Lieutenant Commander Megan Ashton, said: "Rohan made a significant contribution to the output of 815 NAS whilst deployed with 207 Flight on board HMS Montrose in 2021.

"He was a very sociable person who was keen to get involved in all aspects of the flight and life on board the ship, relishing the opportunities available to him whilst deployed including adventurous training and sports.

"His friends and colleagues on 207 Flight will remember him as easy-going and charismatic; he loved football and Formula 1."

She added: "Our sincerest condolences are with Rohan's family and friends at this time."

Devon and Cornwall Police say the collision took place at about 10:00 on 29 June, and officers continue to make inquiries to establish the circumstances of the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by email at [email protected] or by calling 101 quoting log 789 of 29/06/22.