THE friend of a Wirral dad killed after the car he was driving hit an embankment near junction two of the M53 on Sunday has paid tribute to a family man with a heart of gold.

Father-of-two Andrew Salter, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday morning.

Mr Salter, from Wallasey, owned motor firm Northwest Lotus and Jaguar on Durley estate in Prenton.

His 21-month-old daughter Annie was in the car at the time of the incident, but was uninjured.

Paying tribute to his friend, Antony Edge, who had known Mr Salter for eight years, told the Globe: “It’s a huge shock. He was a terrific guy, one of the kindest people I’d ever been mates with.

“He had a heart of gold and would drop everything to help you. He was such a close friend to me and Nathan Roberts.

“He was a huge family man, absolutely doted on his daughter Annie and son Andrew. My heart goes out to them and his partner, Claire.

“The loss has affected me so deeply that I didn’t sleep until 4am this morning.”

Officers from the Matrix Serious Organised Crime, Roads Policing Unit attended at the scene and the southbound carriageway of the M53 was closed for several hours. Drivers were warned to expect delays in the area. It was reopened just before 4pm.

An investigation is underway to establish what caused the Jaguar motorcar driven by Mr Salter to leave the carriageway and hit the embankment. No other vehicles were involved.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the cause of his death.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Officers were called to the southbound carriageway of the M53, between junctions 2 and 3, at just after 11.10am, by a member of the public reporting he had seen a Jaguar car leave the road and collide with the motorway embankment.

"Emergency services attended and the found the driver of the car, a man believed to be in his 30s, with serious head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"A child who was also in the car was taken to hospital and following precautionary checks was found to be uninjured."

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the cause of his death.

Witnesses should call 0151 777 5747 or 101.