DOZENS of floral tributes have been laid at the scene of a fatal crash in Radcliffe which claimed the life of a 24-year-old motorcyclist.

Joiner Darren Clancy was killed when he was in collision with a car in Radcliffe New Road on Saturday afternoon.

It was the second tragedy to strike the family in two years -- the accident happened almost two years to the day since Darren's father Gary died in a similar biking accident.

Darren, of Wingate Drive, Whitefield, was riding a Husqvarna 610 motorbike at 5.10pm when it collided with a Vauxhall Nova, being driven by a 64-year-old woman from Radcliffe, near the junction with Jackson Street.

Passers-by, including an off-duty firefighter, gave Darren first-aid until paramedics arrived and took him to Fairfield General Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. The car driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

Darren, who had a 16-month-old daughter, Holly, died just days after the second anniversary of the death of his father. On May 4, 2002, Gary Clancy (40) was killed when he lost control of his motorbike while trying to avoid a collision with a car in Garstang, near Preston.

Darren's mother, Mrs Gaynor Clancy, said: "He was a very popular lad with lots of friends. He worked as a joiner for a local firm and had a keen interest in motorbikes.

"Darren had just picked up his motorbike in order to sell it. It had been stuck in the garage for a while after his dad had died in a similar accident almost two years to the day."

Darren leaves a 19-year-old sister, Danielle, as well as his partner, Vicky Ramsden (19).

"He was a lovely lad with everything to live for. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him," added Mrs Clancy.

Radcliffe New Road was closed while investigations were carried out and diversions were put in place. An inquest is expected to open in the next few days and be adjourned pending further accident and medical investigations.

Bury Police are asking witnesses to the accident to call Bury traffic unit on 0161 856 8072.