A MOTORCYCLIST was killed when he was thrown through the plate glass of a bus stop in a rush hour accident.

Craig Tuppen, aged 42, of New Court Drive, Egerton, was thrown 10 yards from his Kawasaki 900 bike in Bolton Road, Bradshaw.

He was treated by paramedics and taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where he died later from serious head and internal injuries.

Mr Tuppen was travelling towards Bolton along Lee Gate when he was involved in the accident with a Volvo at 5.20pm last night.

The road was sealed off for hours, causing severe traffic disruption, as police launched an investigation.

Today motorists described how they rushed to help the unconscious motor cyclist.

One said today: "It is absolutely terrible. Lots of people raced over to help him but he was badly injured."

His family were too upset to speak today.

The Volvo driver, a 53-year-old Bolton man, was left shocked but unhurt.

Fire crews were called amid fears that the bike was leaking petrol.But the liquid turned out to be radiator coolant.

The road was closed immediately after the accident, causing long tailbacks into Bolton. It re-opened early this morning. Sgt Ken Carter, from Bolton Police Traffic Unit, said today: "I would like to appeal for any witnesses or anyone who may have information to come forward and contact us."

Contact Bolton Traffic Unit on 0161 856 5972.

It is the latest in a series of serious accidents in Bolton this week. Father- of-four James Ellis, aged 55, of Stanley Close, Westhoughton, suffered serious head injuries in a hit-and-run collision near his home on Monday and died in hospital.

Biker Renolds Withnell, aged 30, of Hartley Street, Horwich, was taken to hospital by air ambulance after colliding head-on with another bike in Egerton Road, Belmont, on Sunday. He suffered multiple fractures but is in a stable condition.

A 31-year-old Bolton man, who was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of Mr Ellis, was released on police bail last night pending the outcome of an investigation into the collision.