TRIBUTES have flowed for a former Dubbo teenager killed in a motorbike accident in Bourke at the weekend.
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Seventeen-year-old Alex Johnson died after his bike hit a car on the Bourke to Hungerford road about 12.40pm on Sunday afternoon.
The woman driving the car underwent mandatory blood and alcohol testing and was treated for shock and minor injuries before being released from hospital.
Another motorcyclist who had been riding with Alex at the time was not injured. The road was closed for several hours while police made inquiries at the scene.
Alex attended school in Dubbo before moving to Bourke about three-and-a-half years ago, where his father Craig is a Community Safety Officer for the Barwon-Darling Zone of the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
RFS Far West manager Superintendent Chris Favelle said Alex had been a dedicated volunteer with the RFS in both Dubbo and Bourke, and local RFS staff and volunteers were among those for whom his death had come as a "terrible shock".
"Everyone you talk to would tell you what a happy and helpful young fella Alex was," he said.
"He was an important member of a local RFS team that has had to deal with a great many fires, especially in this recent fire season. He had only just completed a chainsaw course with other RFS volunteers, and they have obviously been deeply affected by his loss."
Superintendent Favelle said Alex was also a keen sportsman, playing football for both the Bourke Warriors and Rams.
"And his employer at Crossroads Tyres just loved him - he was a great worker who never shirked responsibility," Superintendent Favelle said.
He said Alex was also a popular member of the Army Cadets in Bourke. Bourke High School, where Alex was a student, held a minute's silence to remember him.
Soon after the news of Alex's death had surfaced, friends took to social media to pay tribute to the community-minded teenager, flooding his Facebook page with messages.
"I will always remember our Delroy days, they were always so fun... I can't believe you're gone. You were always such an amazing person," wrote one friend.
Another wrote: "Alex Johnson was a respectful, kind, encouraging, smart young man he had so much to live for but unfortunately... God has chosen you mate... God only takes the best... You're safe now Alex live forever young... Forever in our hearts RIP."
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.