FORMER Burnley footballer Clarke Carlisle has paid tribute to the van driver who consoled him on the roadside following his suicide bid last year.

Chris Kilbride, 24, who swerved to avoid Mr Carlisle when he threw himself in to the path of oncoming traffic, died on Thursday, his family said.

Ex-England under-21 international Mr Carlisle told The Mirror: “It is tragic news. My sincerest condolences go out to his family at this time.”

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Retired centre-half Mr Carlisle, 35, jumped into the path of a 12-ton lorry on the A64, near York, last December while suffering from depression.

Mr Kilbride, from Leeds, was travelling in another van and was forced to swerve to avoid Mr Carlisle, before he stopped to helped the injured sportsman.

A Facebook post from Mr Kilbride’s father, also called Chris, said: “It is with deep regret and a broken heart that I have to inform my friends that my son Chris Kilbride passed away (Thursday).

“Thanks to all the people that have already passed on their thoughts. RIP son, I’m already missing you like crazy. You will never leave my thoughts xxx”

West Yorkshire Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

After his release from hospital father-of-three Mr Carlisle, who played 131 times for the Clarets between 2007 and 2012, set up a mental health charity called the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis (CCforDD).

Dual diagnosis describes patients with both severe mental illness, mainly psychotic disorders, and problematic drug or alcohol use.