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Fleetwood biker dies on Isle of Man minutes after seeing his dad for first time in 35 years

Paul Cowell crashed and lost his life while travelling on part of the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course

[Paul on his beloved motorbike with partner Nicola]

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Paul on his beloved motorbike with partner Nicola(Image: Demi Ramshaw)

A family from Fleetwood are desperately trying to raise funds to get a biker home who died in a road traffic accident on the Isle of Man.

Paul Cowell, 56, was killed instantly when his motorbike collided with a camper van on Monday, September 27.

It is believed that the dad-of-two and step father was blinded by the sun as he was coming uphill at Mountain Road Guthries which is part of the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course during the races.

READ MORE: Van driver admits manslaughter but denies murdering E-scooter rider, trial hears

The road currently has no speed limit and is infamous for its drastic hairpin bends.

[Paul with his partner of 16 years Nicola]

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Paul with his partner of 16 years Nicola(Image: Demi Ramshaw)

Motorbike lover Paul was born on the Isle of Man before settling in Fleetwood for a number of years as an HGV driver.

Paul's step-daughter Demi Ramshaw, 22, told LancsLive: "It's an awful story. Paul had re-united with his dad who he hasn't seen for 35 years for the first time and then ten minutes later he sadly lost his life.

"He'd Facetime'd his two sons to meet their grandad for the first time and then he left to do one last lap to visit where his mum's ashes had been spread close to Mountain Road.

"Me and my partner Danny have just had a baby who is only 12 days old and he'd only got to meet him once. It's absolutely tragic. I think his partner Nicola is still in shock. She's travelled over to the Isle of Man to see him."

[Paul with this two sons, Daniel, 32 and Darren, 29]

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Paul with this two sons, Daniel, 32 and Darren, 29(Image: Demi Ramshaw)

The family are now trying to get Paul home to Fleetwood to give him a proper send off which is proving expensive. The cheapest quote they have managed to get so far is 3,091 from Fleetwood-based JP Dell Funeral Directors.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise funds to cover the costs of travel and funeral arrangements.

Demi added: "We've had some pretty big quotes from some funeral directors into the thousands however we think that this may be the cheapest one.

"We're currently at 2,570 and we have about 10-12 days before the body is released so any little helps. We're really grateful to everyone who has donated so far."

Paul leaves behind his two sons, Daniel, 32, Darren, 29, his step-daughter Demi, 22, his partner of 16 years Nicola Clark, 40, his 12 day-old grandson, Lake Reeve, and many family members and friends far and wide.

• Please visit the GoFundMe page here.

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