TRIBUTES have been paid to a “kind and gentle” great grandfather who was killed in an horrific accident in Ipswich.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “kind and gentle” great grandfather who was killed in an horrific accident in Ipswich.

Bernard Packard died on Thursday when he was involved in a collision with a motorbike as he attempted to cross Heath Road, near Ipswich Hospital.

Mr Packard's family said the tragedy had left them “deeply shocked”.

Their statement read: “The family of the late Bernard Packard would like to express their deep sadness at the untimely death of a devoted and true family man who tragically died returning to his home.

“He was the head of our very close family, leaving behind daughters Linda and Sandra, son-in-law David, grandchildren Sharon, Christopher, Olivia, Tom and Lisa, and great-grandchildren Joseph and Isabella.

“He was a genuine, kind and gentle man, at his most content with his family and close friends around him. He will be remembered with love and affection by all those who were lucky to know him.”

It added: “His special gift was the love and care he gave us all. Nothing was too much trouble.

“We are left to deal with the sorrow and shock of his fateful passing but will take comfort from our treasured happy memories of our fantastic dad, granddad and gramps. He will remain forever in our hearts.”

Mr Packard's daughters, Sandra Gosney and Linda Peto, said they had been “deeply moved” to read that their father was not alone before his death and that two members of the public had attempted to resuscitate him.

An off-duty nurse and a Heath Road resident had battled desperately to save the man's life.

They said: “We would like to express our gratitude and thank the action taken by bystanders and NHS (staff) present who worked to save our precious dad.”