THE wife of a man who died after his car was in a collision with a fire engine answering a 999 call has paid tribute to him.

Philip Yates, aged 39, from Merrydale Avenue, Eccles, was driving a Ford Escort in Liverpool Road, Barton, when it was involved in the crash on Monday.

Mr Yates was trapped in his car and freed by the firefighters at the scene.

He suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Hope Hospital where he later died.

The father of two worked as a Senior Product Launch Manager for British Telecom.

His wife, Karen, said: "This tragedy has devastated the whole family.

"Phil was a wonderful husband, father and son, and leaves behind two beautiful daughters, Lydia, aged seven and Emily, aged 11.

"At 39-years-old he had his whole life ahead of him with his family, and will be deeply missed by everyone."

The driver of the Volvo fire engine, a 42-year-old man from Kearsley, suffered minor injuries.