A 55-year-old man has died after his motorcycle hit a tree on a Shropshire road.

The rider died after the accident at Roden at around 11.20am yesterday. Friends and work colleagues today named him as Kevin Pugh, of Quarry Lane, Red Lake.

He suffered serious injuries and was confirmed dead shortly after being airlifted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

A neighbour in Quarry Lane, who did not want to be named, said: “He was a nice bloke. He drove that bike so slowly.”

A rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and the County Air Ambulance were sent to the scene on the B5062 halfway between Shrewsbury and Wellington.

Murray MacGregor, a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “When ambulance staff arrived at the scene, they started resuscitation attempts. But despite the best efforts of ambulance and hospital staff it was not possible to save the man.”

Julie Felton, director of Cleanit where Mr Pugh worked, said: “We are absolutely shocked and are really feeling for his wife in such tragic circumstances.”

Telford police spokeswoman Sarah Warren said the rider was believed to have been overtaking a car when he lost control, but there had been no collision between the two. Witnesses can call police on 08457 444888.