A HEARTBROKEN friend has paid a touching tribute to a father-of-four who died in a crash yesterday evening.

Tariq Khan, aged 36, suffered fatal injuries in the horrific collision on Green Lane at 7.30pm.

Today a close friend of Mr Khan paid a touching tribute to him describing him as having a "big heart".

Mr Khan lived in The Haulgh with his family and also lived in Great Lever.

Daniel Sukula, who also lives in Great Lever said: "I am in shock. I have known Tariq since I was 16 and we were always in touch, speaking and messages.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard.

"He is one of the best people I have ever met. He had just opened his boxing gym a few months ago for which he worked really hard.

"When lockdown measures came in, he used as a base to collect donations for those who needed it during this time.

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"He was always ready to help people, he was devoted to his four children, his family was his life. He worked hard to provide for them, that is why he set up the gym and had a garage."

Daniel, who works to give vulnerable young people a bright future through his organisation Be the Best, added: "Tariq would always help me with Be the Best, he even gave one of the young people a job in the gym.

"He was always there for others. During this crisis there is a lot of sadness, but yesterday was the first time I shed a tear.

"So many people have paid tribute to him, which shows what sort of person he was.

"No matter how busy he was , you could always call on him and he would help.

"He would hold charity boxing shows."

Daniel said he was a much loved person throughout Bolton.

"So many people knew him ­— we are just in shock."

Local councillor for the area, Hamid Khurram said his thoughts were with the family.

He told The Bolton News: "He was very well known in the area and always smiling.

"He was a very lovely jolly character, my thoughts and condolences are with his family.

"Tariq had four young children and they were always with him, when you saw him."

Cllr Khurram said that his desire to help young people was reflected in the many tributes left on social media.

"There were many young people at the scene yesterday in tears.

"They were told to leave but were in shock about what had happened.

"People are unable to visit the family at this time because of the current restrictions, so are leaving messages on social media. There have been so many,  I have seen a fundraising page has been set up to help the family because he had just opened his gym and then it had to close."