A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a horror crash.

The rider, who was on a Kawasaki motorbike, was involved in a collision with a Mercedes Vito van in Radcliffe Road, Bury, near to its junction with Manchester Road at 3.50pm on Wednesday, December 19

He was unconscious after suffering a head injury and paramedics took him to Salford Royal Hospital, where he later died.

Police said the man is 23-year-old Stephen Wagstaff, a teacher at The Derby High School from the Prestwich area.

Stephen’s family has paid the following tribute to him. They said: “Stephen, 'Waggy', was an amazing son, grandson, boyfriend, brother and uncle.
“He was Blackpool FC to the core but loved all sports, life in general and was passionate about being a teacher.

“He loved America and spending time with his partner Tamara and their dog Louie.

“Stephen was a good, kind person about whom no one had a bad word to say. He would help anyone in any way he could and always saw the good in others.

“We will miss him dearly and cannot imagine life without him. We loved him so much.”

Police Constable Ian Beaumont said: “This is a tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life. Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends as they try to come to terms with the loss of their loved one and we are doing all we can to support them at this devastating time.

“If anyone witnessed the collision yesterday afternoon, I would ask them to please contact officers in the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.”

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received the call at 3.52pm for an incident on Radcliffe Road at the junction with Manchester Road.

"The rider was confirmed as being unconscious with a head injury."

A motorcycle and Mercedes Vito were involved in a collision on Radcliffe Road at the junction with Manchester Road at 3.55pm on Wednesday 19 December 2012, a

Stephen Wagstaff, aged 23 and from the Prestwich area, was taken to hospital suffering from serious head injuries, but sadly later died.

No one else was injured during the collision.

PC Ian Beaumont said: "This is a tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life.

"Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends, who are understandably devastated at the loss of their loved one, and we are doing all we can to support them.

"If anyone witnessed the collision yesterday afternoon, I would ask them to please contact officers in the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741."