An Irish pilot has died following a motorcycle crash in Mexico.
Ambrose Blaine passed away after his bike collided with a car while he was on a trip of a lifetime with friends.
The dad-of-three had been travelling on the Pan-American Highway when the collision happened at around 7.20am local time on Monday in Ciudad Constitution.
It is understood that Mr Blaine, originally from Co Mayo but living in Malahide in Dublin, suffered serious head injuries in the crash and later passed away in hospital.
The 55-year-old, who worked as a consultant for Turkish Airlines, was on the biking holiday with three pals when tragedy struck.
Mexican police are investigating the crash, while the Irish Embassy in Mexico is assisting Mr Blaine’s travel companions.
One biker who met Mr Blaine on the road paid tribute to the Dubliner, describing him as an "exceptional man".
"For me travel has been my Continuing Education. Especially due to the exceptional people I encounter along the way," he said on Facebook.
"In March of 2020 I encountered three such people enjoying breakfast at their hotel on the Plazuela Machado in Mazatlán. John, Mustafa and Ambrose had just finished a leg of their PanAmerican Highway ride and were storing their Honda Africa Twins in Mazatlán until their next leg.
"These three riders were not only impressive in their individual accomplishments and their travels but also in the friendship they shared and I looked forward to the opportunity to ride a bit with them.
"I spent an evening at Héctor’s Bistro with Ambrose before they flew home and was struck by his life experience, humor, wit, and our divergent World Views.
"Here was an exceptional man among the many exceptional people I’ve encountered in my life. He made me think, he made me laugh, he stirred my hunger for adventure travel and left me anticipating our next encounter. I will not likely ever forget encountering Ambrose Blaine."
Another pal said: "RIP Ambrose. A gentleman and one of our group that did a charity delivery of fire engines and ambulances to Uganda last year."
John O’Kelly, who was travelling with Mr Blaine on the Mexico trip, said he was devastated by the tragedy.
“Ambrose was a really great guy. Full of fun and laughter and very well-known in all walks of life, particularly aviation circles," he told the Irish Times.
"We are all just devastated and are thinking of his family."
