THE selfless past of a man who died from head injuries has been revealed.

Leon Faulkner, who was in his 30s, died in hospital after paramedics sped to his home at 4pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Police are investigating his death, arresting five people on suspicion of manslaughter.

As tributes poured in for Mr Faulkner in the wake of his death, it has come to light that the man who lived in a quiet, leafy suburb had a 'heroic' past.

Back in 2009, Mr Faulkner showed his selflessness when he rushed to tackle a blaze at the home of a young mum.

Then 26-year-old Gail Hadfield, of Stanley Road, Heaton, returned from a day out to find her home full of smoke and her cooker on fire.

Working as a mechanic at Stanley Road Garage, Mr Faulkner and his colleagues heard the cries of the mum-of-two, as reported by The Bolton News.

The mechanics bravely put out the kitchen fire before firefighters arrived, with the mum hailing the group as “superheroes”.

Ms Hadfield said: “They were just like superheroes. What they did was amazing.

“They didn’t think twice about it and I am so grateful.”

Yesterday, the tragic news broke that Mr Faulkner had died from injuries, with the police investigating an assault near to his home.

READ MORE: Four men and a woman arrested after a man died of injuries

The police and paramedics were called to Mr Faulkner's Forester Hill Avenue home in Great Lever on Tuesday.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the following hours — four men – aged 39, 20, 39 and 35 – and a 43-year-old woman are currently being questioned in custody.

Tributes poured in for Mr Faulkner yesterday as the news of his death broke.

In the wake of his death, neighbours and friends are paying tribute to Mr Faulkner — a man who “would do anything for anybody”.

Janet Cormican, a lifelong friend of Mr Faulkner, said she knew him since he was a child: “So shocked to hear the very sad news.”

Ms Cormican said: “Leon was a lovely boy, from being a young boy to an adult he would do anything for anybody.

“He was always very polite, helpful and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

“He was a credit to his family and one of the good guys. Fly high Leon.”

READ MORE: Tributes for man who died after head injury

One of Mr Faulkner’s neighbours was also shocked to hear the news of his death, saying: “He was a nice guy.

“It happens all the time in other parts of Bolton. Not here.”

Police are now looking into an “assault or altercation” which may be linked to Mr Faulkner’s injuries. The incident is believed to have taken place earlier on Tuesday, around 12.30pm, in nearby Deal Street.

Officers remained on the street, near the junction with Rishton Lane, as crime scene investigators swept the area. The street was taped off for much of the day.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4711, quoting incident number 1991 of 07/01/2020. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crime stoppers to 0800 555 111.