Tributes have poured in for a young father-to-be killed in a motorcycle crash in Croydon.

Carl Simpson, 27, died in a collision with another bike in Imperial Way just before 5.30pm yesterday.

He was pronounced dead by the roadside an hour later despite the efforts of paramedics to save him.

Friends today left flowers at the spot where he died, along with cards paying tribute to “a true gent loved by everyone”.

Your Local Guardian:

Flowers left at the spot where Mr Simpson died

Skid marks could be seen on the tarmac in Imperial Way this morning.

An online fundraising page created in Mr Simpson's memory has raised more than £1,000 in the hours since his death.

Shocked commenters on the page painted a picture of a "kind hearted, sensible and genuine" motorcycle enthusiast who was expecting the birth of a child.

RELATED: Motorcyclist, 27, dies after crash with second biker in Imperial Way, Croydon

Laflare Ryderr wrote: "Most of us riders on here are fathers and the worse thing in this world is to lose a child or to leave your child behind. Only days prior to his death Carl mentioned how he wanted to keep safe because he had an unborn child on the way who he was patiently waiting to meet.

"But days later he lost his life and now there's an innocent little baby who will now grow up without a father."

The page's creator, Joel Blue, wrote: "Carl was the most kind hearted, sensible and genuine person you could ever meet. We grew up in a close community and he has lots of loving family and friends, please any help is greatly appreciated and will all be going to his family for his unborn baby and funeral costs etc.

Your Local Guardian:

Friends pay tribue to Mr Simpson today

"Ride in paradise Carl we will ride together again one day...you will be truly missed and never forgotten!"

A picture of a red-and-white Honda motorbike, posted to Instagram by Mr Simpson just hours before his death yesterday, has garnered more than 330 comments and nearly 400 likes.

One comment read: "R.I.P rider. Throttle hand up #Bikelife."

A witness described how she held Mr Simpson’s hand as he lay dying, in a heart-rending account of his final minutes.

Stacey Winters wrote on Facebook: "I would like everyone who knows him and his family that he didn't die alone I was holding his hand all the way through telling him that you all love him".

In a later comment she added: "It was hard really was but I had to be strong for him, I've spoken to his mum and told her I was there and she gave me a big hug and thank you and so did everyone else who knew him!! I would like to be told by the person who was with my child till the end so I knew they wasn't on there own (if that happens to me)".

Your Local Guardian:

Skidmarks on the road in Imperial Way this morning

The second rider involved in the crash was taken to south London hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening and was in a stable condition yesterday afternoon, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

No arrests have been made and police are continuing to investigate the collision.

Did you know Carl Simpson? Send your tributes to daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk