A four-year-old boy died after the off-road bike he was riding hit a lamppost.
The child - named locally as Lennox Railton-Craggs - is thought to have been a passenger on the vehicle, which was involved in a crash in the Eldon Lane area, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Monday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 1pm and the child was treated for serious injuries.
The youngster was then airlifted to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance Service but was pronounced dead on arrival.
A Facebook tribute from Prince Bishops Community Primary School in County Durham said: "As we’re sure many of you know, Lennox Railton-Craggs sadly passed away yesterday. Lennox was a joy.
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"He was such a happy boy who always had a smile for staff and other children.
"He loved playing with the dinosaurs and in the water but his favourite thing to do was to play outside.
"He was an amazing friend and could be often seen holding another child’s hand and he would go and get a tissue for anyone who was upset. We’re absolutely heartbroken by the news.
"Lennox will be hugely missed by all of the staff at school, especially those who were privileged enough to teach and support him.
"Naturally we have spoken to Lennox’s family and as always, will do what we can to support them through the unimaginable pain they are going through.
"As so many children had heard the news before they came to school today, we have spoken to them about bereavement, and we are providing support for them."
The post was accompanied by a snap of Lennox with a model robot, which he had made during his time in nursery.
"This is Lennox with a model robot he had made in nursery," the post continued.
"He was very proud of it and rightly so. This is how we will always remember him."
Durham Police have now launched an investigation into the boy's death and have asked anyone with information regarding the incident to call them on 101 quoting incident number 196 of January 23.
A spokesperson for the force explained: "Police are investigating following the death of a four-year-old boy in Bishop Auckland.
"It is believed the child had been a passenger on an off-road bike when it collided with a lamppost shortly after 1pm yesterday (Sunday, January 23) in the Eldon Lane area.
"He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, but was sadly pronounced dead on arrival."
