A MOTORCYCLIST died after a crash with a lorry in Bolton town centre.

The incident happened at about 9.10am this morning at the top of the slip road from St Peter’s Way to Bradford Street, The Haulgh.

It left the motorcyclist pinned under the front wheel on the driver’s side of the large HGV tipper truck.

The victim, who has been named as Michael Stockton, aged 59, was taken to Salford Royal Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death while driving without due care.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Eyewitness Neil Tong was walking with his dog across the bridge over St Peter’s Way when the accident happened.

Mr Tong, aged 37 from Halliwell, said: “I was on the corner of the bridge near the slip road and I just heard a screeching noise followed by a thud.

“But it was behind me so it wasn’t until I turned around that I realised what had happened. When I looked down at the truck’s wheels I realised it was the motorcyclist beneath the wheel.

“Then it was all pandemonium after that. I called the ambulance and once they arrived I saw them trying to save him.

“That image will stick with me forever. It was a terrible thing to see and I’ll never forget it.”

Peter Haggerstui, aged 35, from Salford, said: “I was driving past in my van and I saw all of the police cars and ambulances. You could see the motorbike and it looked like a terrible crash.”

Mr Stockton, who was riding a Honda motorcycle, suffered injuries to his head, chest and limbs and went into cardiac arrest.

Bradford Street was closed to all traffic travelling towards Bolton town centre while officers from the serious collision unit investigated the accident.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to St Peter’s Way following reports of a collision between a lorry and a motorbike.

“Officers attended and found that a motorcyclist had been involved in a collision with a HGV.

“The man was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.”

Witnesses are asked to call traffic police on 0161 8564741.