Tributes have poured in for a biker who died after fighting for his life following a crash near Stockport.
A stretch of the M60 was closed off for hours on Saturday, July 12, after a crash involving a motorbike.
Other motorists were the first to rush to help the badly injured rider after the crash between junctions J25 and J24 before the emergency services arrived.
The rider has now been named as a 58-year-old Andrew Peak.
Andrew was loaded into the air ambulance on the carriageway and taken to Salford Royal Hospital with catastrophic injuries, where he fought for his life for two days.
Surrounded by his family and friends, Andrew succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
His devastated family stated: ‘Andrew sustained major injuries following an accident whilst riding his motorcycle on the M60 on Saturday, July 12.
‘Without the attendance of the emergency services and rapid response from the North West Air Ambulance, it would not have been possible to transport him to hospital for further medical care.
‘The medical team at Salford Royal Critical Care Unit worked tirelessly to save his life over the following 48 hours. Unfortunately, Andrew’s injuries were so severe that he sadly passed away on July 14, surrounded by his family and friends.
‘Andrew will be missed dearly by his family and friends, a tragic loss of man taken too soon.
‘We would like to thank everyone who was involved with the care of Andrew from the roadside to the hospital. As a family we have decided to fundraise for the North West Air Ambulance, which operates solely on the generosity of public donations, and have set up a Just Giving page for anyone who can donate.’
Greater Manchester Police stated: ‘Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit is conducting enquiries. Officers also thank members of the public who stopped by the roadside to give the man initial first aid.’
Andrew is thought to have been a veteran who with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
A fellow member of a veteran group stated on social media: ‘Sad news of former 3rd Battalion RRF.’
One friend stated after news of Andrew’s death emerged: ‘Wow no way my old friend and PT client Andy. Life is cruel, I trained Andy for over 12 months. I’ll miss you mate, what a good man you were.
A fellow motorcyclist wrote: ‘RIP biker brother sending our love to you and your family.’
Another friend wrote: ‘That’s so sad, RIP Andrew (Peaky)’
The M60 was closed for around eight and a half hours between Denton and Bredbury following the incident and an investigation.
The fatal collision came just days after part of the M60 was shut near the Stockport pyramid when four cars and four lorries crashed.