POLICE have confirmed that a dad-of-two has died following a collision in St Helens last week.

At around 4.30pm on Monday, December 4, a cyclist was involved in a collision with a silver Nissan Micra and a white Ford Transit van on Sherdley Road, near to Peterlee Close.

The cyclist, who was taken to hospital in a critical condition, has now been identified by police as 40-year-old dad-of-two Paul Cunliffe.

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After being rushed to hospital, the Thatto Heath dad sadly passed away at the Walton Centre at Aintree Hospital, in what is now the second fatal collision involving a cyclist in the space of a few days.

The incident follows another fatal crash on Islands Brow on Friday, December 1, which claimed the life of 59-year-old David Burrows from Blackbrook.

Paul has left behind Sarah, his devastated wife of 18 years and two sons Joshua and Dominic. He was the only child of parents Barbara and Stephen.

In a statement given to Merseyside Police, the family said: "Paul was a quiet man full of good humour and a caring nature. Paul would do anything to help anyone and all of his friends and family have nothing but fond memories of him. 

"Paul lived in Sutton Heath all his life where he was well known growing up with his best friend Peter.

"Paul made an impression on lots of people throughout his life including at his workplace, High Tech Steel in Bold where he had worked since he was 17. He loved working there and always had lots of funny stories to tell me when he got home. 

"Paul will be deeply missed by all of his family and everyone he met. Please keep him in your thoughts."

After Paul was taken to hospital following last week's collision, the drivers of the Nissan Micra and Ford Transit van stayed with officers to assist with enquiries.

Police have confirmed that their investigation into the fatal collision is continuing, and are asking those who may have CCTV or dashcam footage around the time of the incident to contact them.

This can be done via the police's Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk, or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 23001226394.