TRIBUTES have been paid to a “loving character with a big heart” who died after his motorbike crashed into a pedestrian island on Tuesday.

Foster Gee, aged 39, suffered fatal injuries after the crash in Plodder Lane, Farnworth.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where he died.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident, which happened at 7.20pm on Tuesday.

Mr Gee’s sister, Melanie, described her brother as a “much loved character” who would be sorely missed.

She said: “Me and my brother James would describe Foster as a loving character with a big heart, he loved us and his half sisters and brothers very much and was a very loving uncle.

“My mother and father have also passed away, so it puts me at ease that he is being cared for by them both now.”

Ms Gee said her brother, who grew up in Kearsley, lived alone with his two dogs Brock and Jilly who he adored and called “his babies”.

She added: “He was loved so much, it hurts so much and my head is in bits, he was the brightest star in the sky, rip my much loved brother Foster."

Eyewitnesses have described how a doctor and several nurses from the nearby Royal Bolton Hospital stopped and got out of their cars to help Mr Gee, who was described as being conscious immediately after the crash.

Christine Osborne, aged 59, who lives directly outside the scene of the incident in Plodder Lane, said she was shocked by what had happened.

She said: "I was on the landing and had just looked out of the window when I saw the gentleman hit the bollard on his motorbike, I immediately got my dressing gown on and rang for an ambulance.

"When I got outside there was already another man helping and then a doctor got out of his car to help and so did about four nurses.

"They all acted like heroes and gave him the best fighting chance, he was conscious at the time and mumbling."

"It was so upsetting to hear that the man had passed away and I am just so sorry for his family that this happened, I would want them to know that everybody did their very best for him, it is so sad, he was just 39 years old."

Melanie Gee said she wanted to thank everyone who tried to help her brother after the crash, adding: "We really appreciate all the staff involved at bolton royal, one of my friends is a nurse there and she told me that her friend was with him and there was so many people trying to bring him back, we appreciate their efforts."

Tributes have also poured in for Mr Gee on Facebook, Charlotte Kelly wrote: "R.I.P Foster you will be missed but no one will ever forget you dude, lots of love."

And Debbie Maher offered condolences to his family. She said: "Rip foster thinking of you all no words can describe what your going through big hug."

Gary Howarth simply wrote: "Rest in peace Foster."

Bolton Coroner's Court confirmed that Mr Gee died at the Royal Bolton Hospital after a road traffic accident and in inquest into how he came about his death is expected to be opened in the coming days.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact their serious collision investigation unit on 0161 8564742.