A tribute has been paid to a man who died following a road traffic collision on the A59 Gisburn Road near Sawley.

Stephen Rhodes, who was 49 and from Walton-le-Dale, and a 25-year-old woman, both tragically died after a Mazda MX-5 car was in collision with a DAF Truck HGV, on Saturday, April 11.

Paying tribute to Mr Rhodes his family said: “Stephen Rhodes - loving son of Joan and Brian, brother of Philip and Paul and father of two sons.

The family of Stephen Rhodes, who was 49 and from Walton-le-Dale, have paid tribute to him after he died in a collision on the A59 at Gisburn Road near Sawley

“We are all devastated by the sudden death of Stephen in such tragic circumstances. He will be deeply missed by all his friends and family.

“We would like to thank the emergency services for their work and also the family liaison officers who are helping us to navigate this awful tragedy.”

Lancashire Police officers were called at 3.44pm on the day of the accident to the A59 Gisburn Road, near to the Dunbia Abattoir, to a report of a collision. The emergency services attended and sadly, Mr Rhodes, who was driving the Mazda and his passenger, were both pronounced deceased at the scene.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “ Our thoughts continue to be with the families and loved ones of both of them.

“The investigation into the collision is ongoing and our officers continue to appeal for any witnesses who haven’t yet come forward, or anyone with dashcam footage which shows the Mazda or the HGV before the collision, to get in contact.”

Anoyne who can help the police with their inquiries are asked tocall 101, quoting log 0794 of 11th April, or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at [email protected]