A TRAFFIC officer will hop out of his police car and onto his bike as he completes the gruelling Ironman challenge in honour of his father.

Insp Dave Mangan was left heartbroken last year when he was riding with his father when he was killed in a motorbike crash just yards behind him.

The death of Mike Mangan, who was 72 and lived in Bolton, prompted the Turton-based police officer to campaign on the issue of motorbike safety.

Insp Mangan, who works for Lancashire Constabulary, has already raised double his £650 donation target, with three months still to go before the race.

On July 19, he will be tackling the challenge of swimming 2.4 miles, before cycling 112 miles then running a marathon.

Insp Mangan said: "I am up to about 15 hours a week training now. I just want to finish in time — I'm not bothered about any records.

"The support I have had is absolutely fantastic. The North West Ambulance Service is important to me because for any keen biker, such as me and my dad, to have that expert support available if the worst comes to the worst.

"You get 17 hours so I should be able to finish hopefully. But I've raised nearly £1,400 and that's the most important thing.

"I’m hoping our partnership with NWAS will further raise the profile of our campaign and that the film continues to send a reminder that it doesn’t matter how experienced you are — riding while tired can have serious or even fatal consequences.”

Mr Mangan was a keen and experienced biker but died on September 11, 2013, in Wheddon Cross, Somerset, when he was involved in a collision with an oncoming vehicle when overtaking.

He had pulled out to overtake several vehicles — following in Insp Mangan's path — but did not have enough room.

The retired electrical engineer was on the last 10 miles of a 320-mile journey and Insp Mangan believes tiredness was a contributory factor in his death.

Insp Mangan added: "Everybody dies at some point, but the point about a motorbike accident is that it is avoidable.

"From my perspective as a road policing officer, of the horrific tragedies that we see played out on our roads week in, week out, the vast majority are avoidable."