TRAGEDY has struck a Bury family for the second time.

Less than three years after the loss of their youngest son Gary, Jim and Elaine Martin were this weekend told their second eldest, Paul (29), had been killed in a motorway accident.

Paul's BMW saloon was hit head-on by a VW Passat, being driven the wrong way along the M66.

Driver Patrick Fanning survived the accident but is fighting for his life in Trafford General Hospital where his condition is said to be "critical".

Mr Fanning (47) from Radcliffe, had joined the M66 at 12.15am on Saturday (June 14), mistakenly using the exit slip road in Walmersley Road. His car narrowly avoided one car and a lorry driver from Leeds, who was driving on the correct side of the motorway, tried desperately to get Mr Fanning's attention before the car smashed into the BMW.

Paul's father, Jim, is trying to come to terms with the weekend tragedy but said he holds no malice toward Mr Fanning.

"I was very angry toward him at first," said Mr Martin. "Now I feel nothing. If he survives he can provide the answers to a number of questions, including how he came to be driving the wrong way on the motorway.

"This is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life."

Mr Martin said that when a police officer arrived at their home in Bolton Road North, Edenfield, at 3am on Saturday, he knew Paul had been killed.

He said: "The officer asked me to identify a holdall and I knew something horrible had happened. After we were told about the accident, all hell broke loose.

"We are still coming to terms with Gary's death and this happens. Paul was the innocent in this. I will really miss him."

Gary died in November, 2000, when he was found hanged at his home in Harvey Street, Bury. An inquest returned an open verdict as it was unclear whether the 23-year-old had intended to commit suicide.

Paul, who worked for Salford City Council's housing department, is a past pupil of Elton Primary and Elton High Schools. He studied A-levels at Stand College in Whitefield before going on to High Wycombe University where he graduated with criminology and sociology degrees.

He wanted to become a police officer but his career path veered toward housing. A month before his death he was promoted to a manager of his department by Salford Council's housing agency.

Mr Martin, who is divorced from Paul's mum Elaine, described him as a fun-loving lad who enjoyed nights out with his friends.

He said: "He was always ready to help anyone and enjoyed life. What happened was unbelievable. His other brother, Lee, is devastated."

The keen footballer had been with his friends on Friday night and was expected to attend a pal's wedding later on Saturday when he was killed driving home.

Mr Fanning's fatal error was witnessed by a police officer who, unable to follow the car due to the danger involved, immediately alerted his colleagues by radio.

But after a short distance, the Passat collided head-on with the BMW. Both drivers were cut free from the wreckage by firefighters but paramedics were unable to save Paul.

Salford Council's housing agency paid tribute to Paul.

Mr John Townsend, chief executive of New Prospect Housing Ltd, said: "This is a terrible tragedy. Paul worked with us as a tenant participation officer more than two years. He was a highly valued member of staff."

An inquest will open on Monday into the accident, with Paul's funeral taking place later in the week at Overdale Crematorium, Bolton.