FRIENDS have spoken of their shock after a 22-year-old motorcyclist died in a crash near an Italian restaurant.

Nathan Lynch was on a ride with a friend when police said they were both hit by a car attempting to turn right into the restaurant car park.

Mr Lynch, a fitness enthusiast who was training for a marathon, died from his injuries, while his friend, a 44-year-old, suffered serious injuries, which are not thought to be life threatening.

Inspector Ian Roberts said the two bikers were heading past San Marino in Belmont towards Bolton when both were hit by a car attempting to turn right into the car park from the other direction.

He said a Ford Mondeo travelling in the direction of Abbey Village on the A675 Belmont Road collided with the motorcycles at around 6.45pm on Monday night.

Nathan, a groundworker for a building firm, lived in Little Lever near Bolton with his father. He was a former pupil at Mount St Joseph’s School in Farnworth.

Friend Scott Thomas, who was training for the April Edinburgh marathon with him, said: “His death has been devastating for everyone who knew him. We are all in shock.

“He was such a genuine lad, and a really nice person.

“We have been doing a lot of training recently for the marathon and he was doing brilliantly. He only started running in January and he was already up to 20-milers.”

Mr Thomas said he had known Mr Lynch for nearly eight years, since he started coming to his gym, Phoenix Health and Fitness Centre in Bolton, as a 14-year-old. He was due to celebrate his 23rd birthday next month.

The road was closed for four hours on Monday night while inquiries were carried out.

The two men in the car have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Insp Roberts said: “The Mondeo turned directly into the path of the two motorcycles, which were heading in the Bolton direction.

“At this stage both occupants of the Mondeo have been detained as it has not yet been determined who was driving.”

A 32-year-old from Bolton remains in police custody while a 45-year-old, who is from London, has been bailed pending further inquires

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