The man who died after walking up the M61 motorway following a Tinie Tempah concert in Manchester has been named.

Gary Wood, 30, was hit by a Skoda Octavia on the southbound section of the road at around 11.20pm on Saturday.

He had attended the show at the O2 Manchester Apollo earlier in the evening, according to police, who are appealing for information about the tragedy.

Police had been trying to identify Gary, from Blackburn, after being called to M61 following the collision. They are still trying to piece together how he came to be on the motorway.

A statement from Gary’s distraught family, released by the police, has paid tribute to him.

It said: “Gary loved the outdoor life, he enjoyed fell walking, mountain climbing, mountain biking and also kept himself fit in the gym.

“Gary has a huge circle of friends and was loved by everyone who came into contact with him.

“He will be remembered as a fun, kind, honest and decent man.

“He was a loving son, brother, uncle and nephew and we are all devastated by his loss.”

Sgt Lee Westhead from said: “We would urge anyone who knows anything about Gary’s movements after he was last seen by his friends at a Tinie Tempah gig at the O2 Apollo theatre until the time of the collision, to contact police to help us piece together Gary’s last hours.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4741.

More news from the Manchester Evening News

Find out what's happening where you live with our In Your Area section

Read the Manchester Evening News on your phone - download the Apple MEN App here, the Android MEN App here and the Kindle app here - and get the paper as an e-edition every morning  by subscribing here