A mechanic has spoken of the horrifying moment he witnessed a fatal crash that took the life of his friend Gordon John Woodward in Malmesbury on Friday.

Tony Davis, from Chippenham, who works for Malmesbury Specialist Motors, was first on the scene after witnessing the collision on the A429, Malmesbury, between Mr Woodward, a pedestrian, and a 60-year-old motorcyclist from Corsham.

The crash occurred during rush hour on Friday morning killing 68-year-old Mr Wood-ward, who owned the burger van on the layby, and leaving the motorcyclist with serious head injuries.

“I saw it all happen in my rear view mirror,” said Mr Davis.

“I stopped and went down to where John was and put my hazard lights on.

“I dived across the road to put my car in the way of the traffic and all these cars were beeping their horns at me, but I would rather they hit my car than hit a man who may not have died.

“I could see that he was passed as I got to him though.

“I went over to where the biker was and we kept him on his side with his helmet on to make sure he was comfortable, but he was moaning and groaning and he was quite bad.”

“I knew John; he comes up to the garage every day to get his water and fuel for his van.

“He was very popular; a nice old boy. A salt of the earth type who was just trying to earn a pound, like the rest of us.”

Floral tributes lay at the site where Mr Woodward, who was also known as ‘Johnny Hirst’, had died.

Among them is one that reads: “Johnny (Dad) and Gramps, forever in our hearts, Martyn, Tracey, Danny, Shannon and Kieran.”

Another reads: “We are so very sorry. You will be missed. All at Blicks Hill Cottage.”

The motorcyclist was airlifted by Wiltshire Air Ambulance to Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital but has since been released after recovering well, according to the police.

Phil Neal, who runs Abbey View Alpacas nearby, also knew Mr Woodward.

“John had been working up there (on the layby) for some years,” he said.

“He used to come up to us for the odd bottle of gas.

“He was just going out to do a day’s work and setting up like he always did and it does make you think, you never know what’s around the corner.

“We are all very sorry to hear the news. It certainly was a shock.

“We couldn’t believe it was him.

“He was a jolly man, always joking and having a laugh “A lot of people will miss him.”

An inquest into the death of Mr Woodward was expected to open yesterday afternoon.

Police are appealing for information following the incident. If you can help with their inquiries call 101 to speak to the Serious Collision Investigation Team at Devizes.