A FAMILY man from Elton was killed after his Suzuki motorbike collided with a combine harvester on the A56 in Chester.
John Pollitt, 45, who worked for the Ince-based Growhow UK fertiliser company, was married to Helen and lived at Parkland Drive, Elton, with their children.
He died from his injuries after the crash at about 10am on Monday.
Former colleagues at the small Elton taxi firm Village Taxis – where Mr Pollitt worked part-time – led tributes saying: “He was our best friend, he didn’t just work for us.”
Staff at The Rigger Pub, Elton, added: “He was a lovely man, a family man.
“It’s tragic, his youngest is just in play school and he has an older son as far as I know.
“He wasn’t a big drinker, he’d come in every now and then when we have had live bands or events.
“Everyone here is in shock.
“He was a very well liked man and just a nice guy, a lovely chap.”
Cheshire police were called to the accident, at the junction of the A56 and near to the M53 roundabout, at about 10.08am and closed the road to allow crash investigators to conduct their enquiries.
It is thought Mr Pollitt was riding the distinctive blue Suzuki bike – carrying the livery of the Rizla Moto GP racing team – towards Helsby while the giant Claas Lexion combine harvester was travelling in the opposite direction towards Chester, when the collision happened.
An ambulance took Mr Pollitt to the Countess of Chester Hospital where staff were on stand-by, but he died from his injuries.
Anyone with any information is asked to ring Sgt Rachel Gallagher at Chester police roads unit on 0845 458 0000.
