Tributes have been paid to the "kind and generous" owner of the Teesside Princess who died six weeks after he was injured in a skiing accident in the French Alps.
Ian Edge, 58, of Ingleby Barwick, was a popular figure on Teesside and in 2017 made local headlines by keeping The Teesside Princess at Stockton, so tourists and locals alike could continue to enjoy trips up the River Tees.
The dad-of-three was known for his charitable endeavours. He often gave to charities and fundraising groups, such as Teesside Dementia, Thornaby FC and Yarm Cat Rescue, and offered free boat hire to raise vital funds.
Last year he helped to raise money to provide head torches for paramedics after hearing a story on BBC Tees.
He also owned the Falcon at Hilton Pub with his son, Matthew.
It was with Ian’s "vision and knowledge", Teesside Princess underwent a major refurbishment and has won several awards.
It continues to host celebrations, Christmas cruises, Sunday dinners, music evenings and one-off events.
A spokesperson for The Teesside Princess said: “Ian was a one-off, a kind, generous man who could turn his hand to anything.
"He transformed the image of the boat into something to be proud of and, in our busiest year yet his vision lives on.”
“He will be greatly missed by the staff of the Princess and all his many friends and colleagues”.
Ian’s funeral will take place on Friday, April 26 at 12pm at Stockton Crematorium’s Maplewood Chapel.
An inquest held at Teesside Coroner's Court on Tuesday (April 9) heard that Mr Edge had been skiing when he was involved in the accident on the ski slopes.
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The hearing was told he collided with a big patch of snow while taking on a blue run trail.
He was taken to hospital in France and was later transported to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough.
The assistant coroner of Teesside, Karin Welsh, ruled Mr Edge's death as an accident.
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