TRIBUTES have been left at the scene of the fatal motorbike crash in Kearsley.

Flowers and words of comfort have been placed at the scene in Pilkington Road where Alanpaul Birch, aged 32, was involved in a crash on his motorbike just after midnight on Saturday.

Mr Birch’s Keeway 125 motorbike had mounted the pavement and went through two front gardens, knocking down fences and walls before colliding with a parked Fiat 500L in the front garden of Mr Stuart Mitchell.

“I was asleep in bed when I heard a huge bang,” said Mr Mitchell, aged 56.

Neighbours rushed to help. Phil Cheetham, who lives opposite the scene of the accident in Pilkington Road administered basic first-aid to try to help Mr Birch.

Mr Cheetham used a tea towel to apply pressure to the motorcyclist's injuries to try to stem the bleeding until an ambulance arrived.

Today he said: “I’m still in shock.”

Kathleen Jones, aged 60, who also lives on Pilkington Road, held Mr Birch’s hand and offered words of comfort.

Police were called to reports that the motorcyclist had collided with a wall in Pilkington Road, Kearsley, Bolton at 12.15am. Mr Birch, who is believed to have lived nearby, was taken to hospital by ambulance but later died as a result of his injuries.

Neighbour, Mrs Brenda Slack, aged 79, looked out of her bedroom window after she heard the accident. She said: “The motorcyclist was almost lying under the car and the motorbike was on top of part of his body.”

She added: “He wasn’t wearing a helmet.”

Police have now launched an investigation and appealed for dashcam footage.

PC Paul Shore from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “My heart goes out to Alanpaul’s family and friends at this unbelievably difficult time. Our specialist support officers are doing all that they can to support them.

“We have launched an investigation and we are hoping that witnesses will come forward and tell us what they have seen. We would particularly like to hear from anyone with any dash-cam footage.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 alternatively call 101 quoting the reference number 28 of 21/04/18 alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.