THE man who was killed when he was thrown off his motorbike on the M61 has been formally identified.

Mr Angus, aged 44, of Tetbury Drive, Breightmet, died when his Honda CBR 900cc motorbike collided with a tractor unit and was hit by two cars.

He suffered severe multiple injuries when he was thrown into the central reservation and pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of two passing nurses and paramedics to resuscitate him.

Mr Angus' bike was found smashed into pieces and on fire 150 metres away from him. His family was too upset to talk about the tragedy last night.

The accident, which happened at 7.50pm on Tuesday, closed the M61 for four hours while accident investigators worked amid wreckage strewn across the carriageway.

Two women were also taken to hospital for shock.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Lancashire Police on 01772 410463.