A man who died after being taken to A&E by police before being hit by a car outside has been named as Anthony McKenzie.
Friends of the 'bubbly' dad-of-three have paid tribute.
His family said he was a 'unique, amazing and fun loving man'
The 37-year-old died following the incident on Rochdale Old Road, near Fairfield General Hospital, on Tuesday (May 18).
He had been taken to A&E by police for 'an earlier unrelated incident'.
A spokesperson for GMP said he was then admitted into the care of hospital staff.
The Manchester Evening News understands Mr McKenzie was waiting for a referral to the mental health team when he left the hospital and was hit by a car.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at around 5.30pm.
The driver of the car assisted officers. No arrests have been made, police said.
Paying tribute, his family said in a statement, released via Greater Manchester Police: "Anthony was the most unique, amazing fun loving man who did as he pleased most of the time.
"But mainly he was the best daddy to his young boys. Nothing meant more to him than his children, they were his entire world.
"He was just the most caring, humorous man, everyone loved him and we will all be forever thankful we had him in our lives."
Mr McKenzie's devastated friends have also paid tribute. They said he would 'do anything for anybody'.
Friend Mark Hibbert told the M.E.N: "I lost both my parents late last year, so I’m still grieving for them.
"Then I get the phone call yesterday regarding one of my best friends. It just brought everything back to me.
"I’m really gutted. Especially with him leaving children behind.
"I’ve known him a long time. He was a very intelligent bloke.
"He was hilarious, really funny, we used to have banter all the time. We were just always laughing.
"He would do anything for anybody.
"He was friendly and never had a bad word to say about anybody.
"I’ve known him for 12 years. Those 12 years were brilliant.
The driver of the car assisted officers at the scene and no arrests have been made, officers have said.
Mr McKenzie's family has been informed. A file relating to his death has been received by Rochdale Coroner’s Court, a spokesman said.
A man who worked with Mr Mckenzie said he was 'very upset and shocked' to learn of his death.
He said: "He would treat everyone the same and have a joke and a laugh.
"I’m very upset and shocked.
"He was really young and it’s a shocking thing to happen."
Police said an investigation has been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with video footage to come forward.
Detective chief inspector Kate Atton, of GMP's Bury Division, said: "This is a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life and we are working hard to establish the circumstances that led to this.
"This happened on a vital road connecting Bury and Rochdale, at one of the busiest times of day. We'd urge anyone who passed through this area with a dash-cam to get in touch with us.
"They could hold vital information that will help us to progress our enquiries."
Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 2323 of 18/05/2021; or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
