THE family of a scooter rider badly injured in a road accident have praised a mystery off-duty paramedic.

Lee Burt is fighting for his life at the Royal Bolton Hospital four days after an accident with a van.

The father-of-six from Horwich was in a collision with a transporter van in Chorley New Road on Sunday evening.

Mr Burt, of Brunswick Avenue, suffered massive blood loss in the accident and seriously injured his right leg.

The 39-year-old underwent emergency operations to amputate part of the leg at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

His wife, Jill, has been keeping a vigil at his bedside in the hospital's intensive care unit where his condition was last night described as "critical".

Mr Burt's father-in-law Bob Hughes today praised an off-duty paramedic who saved his life after stemming the flow of blood before paramedics arrived at the scene.

He said the family were devastated about the accident and wanted to thank the passer-by for his quick actions.

Mr Hughes said: "The paramedic saved Lee's life. He could have died and we are very grateful for what he did.

"He was driving past, saw the accident and stopped to help. It was fortunate he was passing at the time. He did not have to stop."

He added: "He did an excellent job and he definitely saved Lee's life."

Lee, a self employed heating engineer, was flung from his Malaguti Jetline Scooter as he was riding towards Horwich along Chorley New Road near the junction with Victoria Road.

The driver of the van, Kanji Punja, aged 39, of Oldham, was unhurt.

Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to the accident and anyone with information is asked to call Bolton traffic unit on 0161 856 5972.

If you are the off duty paramedic who stopped to help, ring the Evening News newsdesk, tel Bolton 361270 or 361271. THE family of a scooter rider badly injured in a road accident have praised a mystery off-duty paramedic.

Lee Burt is fighting for his life at the Royal Bolton Hospital four days after an accident with a van.

The father-of-six from Horwich was in a collision with a transporter van in Chorley New Road on Sunday evening.

Mr Burt, of Brunswick Avenue, suffered massive blood loss in the accident and seriously injured his right leg.

Vigil

The 39-year-old underwent emergency operations to amputate part of the leg at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

His wife, Jill, has been keeping a vigil at his bedside in the hospital's intensive care unit where his condition was described as "critical".

Mr Burt's father-in-law Bob Hughes today praised an off-duty paramedic who saved his life after stemming the flow of blood before paramedics arrived.

He said the family were devastated and wanted to thank the passer-by for his quick actions.

Mr Hughes said: "The paramedic saved Lee's life. He could have died and we are very grateful for what he did.

"He was driving past, saw the accident and stopped to help. It was fortunate he was passing at the time. He did not have to stop."

He added: "He did an excellent job."

Lee, a self employed heating engineer, was flung from his Malaguti Jetline Scooter as he was riding towards Horwich along Chorley New Road near the junction with Victoria Road.

The driver of the van, Kanji Punja, aged 39, of Oldham, was unhurt.

Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to the accident and anyone with information is asked to call Bolton traffic unit on 0161 856 5972.

If you are the off duty paramedic who stopped to help, ring the Evening News newsdesk, tel Bolton 361270 or 361271.