A BOLTON waiter was killed when a car toppled onto its roof and skidded into him as he cycled home from work.

Alex Pomfret, aged 20, suffered multiple injuries and died before reaching hospital.

A senior police officer said the car flipped onto its roof after a collision in Chorley New Road, Bolton. It skidded into Mr Pomfret's bike as he rode home along the opposite carriageway.

Mr Pomfret, of Burnham Avenue, Smithills, worked at the De Vere Whites Hotel at the Reebok Stadium. He had been called into work on Saturday.

His father, David, said: "I thought we would be watching the England match together but he said he had to go into work to help out at a wedding. He went out that morning and said see you later. It is all just such a shock.

"He used to love watching the Wanderers and had been taking a year out from a Physics degree at Manchester University."

His mother, Joan, said: "He was a very popular lad with loads of friends. He used to love going to pop concerts and going into Bolton with his friends.

"He was very generous, friendly and was a larger than life person. He was also very sensitive. It is tragic and he will be deeply missed by all his family."

The accident happened at the Regent Road junction with Chorley New Road, Lostock, at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Local residents have campaigned about dangerous visibility levels at the junction for the last three years. They claim over-development in the area is hampering motorists' views from the junction.

Roy Walmsley, of Lostock Residents' Group, said: "Our hearts go out to the family of the cyclist. There is not sufficient visibility to be able to pull out safely. It encourages risk taking and is dangerous.

"The area is already overcrowded with development and further planning applications are going to make matters worse."

Shocked

A police spokesman said the accident happened after a Peugeot 206, driven by Kevin Maher, aged 19, of Chorley New Road, Heaton, overtook an unidentified car turning left into Regent Road.

The Peugeot was then involved in an accident with a Ford Fiesta XR2i, being driven by Alan Bamber, of Woodhouse Lane, Springfield, Wigan, which had just turned right into Chorley New Road.

The Peugeot hit the kerb, flipped onto its roof and skidded across to the opposite carriageway. It careered into the bike before hitting a nearby lamp post. Both drivers were left shocked but unhurt.

Police want to trace the driver of the car which turned left down into Regent Road.

Sgt Ken Carter, of the Bolton Police Traffic Unit, said: "We want the driver to come forward and contact us to see if he can help piece together what happened."

The road was closed for six hours. Police accident investigators also went to the scene. Witnesses are asked to contact police on 0161 856 5972.