A TRAGIC dad was killed in a horror road smash on his 30th birthday, the Evening Times can reveal.

Paul Newall, from Larkhall, was riding his Kawasaki motorbike on the M74 in South Lanarkshire when he was involved in a collision with a car.

His shattered brother Sean Newall told how he was caught up in traffic sparked by the crash - unaware that is was Paul, who had been celebrating his 30th birthday, that was involved in the two-vehicle accident.

He said: “I was held up by the incident, unaware that it involved Paul.

“Even going down to the crash scene didn’t make it any more real.”

Paul, who leaves behind two children aged three and six, died at the scene on Thursday night.

His wife Lauren posted pictures on social media of the family having a meal to celebrate Paul's birthday just hours before the tragedy.

She told how the meal was the last time she saw her husband and how the couple had been planning to spend the weekend together in Edinburgh.

Lauren added: "But he was stolen from me and the boys in a tragic accident.

"Paul you're the only one who knew how much I loved you.

"You will never be replaced as you were one in a million."

His family said: “Paul would go out of his way to help anyone, it was simply in his nature.

“He was a perfectionist in everything he attempted and had a personality that was wicked and infectious.

“People would be drawn to him and quickly became his friends.

“He was a loving husband, brother, son and friend to all.

“He will be simply irreplaceable.”

Paul’s devastated relatives are now raising cash for the British Heart Foundation after treatment he received for an abnormally fast heart rate.

They said they had chosen the charity because the 30-year-old “had a big heart and we are all heart broken”.

Paul’s motorcycle collided with a white Mazda car at around 10.40pm on the M74 near Larkhall.

It is understood he was returning home when the tragedy took place.

Paul’s family added: “His first love was for his two children Miya, aged six, and Dany, aged three.

“He had a passion for motorbikes, football, snowboarding and ice hockey and played for the Coatbridge Coyotes.

“All of which he excelled at.”

A minutes silence was held at an ice hockey match between the Glasgow Mustangs and Caledonia Hellcats as a mark of respect for Paul.

Friends and relatives flooded social media with tributes to the young father.

One wrote: "Paul, you were a lovely person who will be so very sadly missed."

Another described his death as "heartbreaking".

While one friend wrote: "Top top lad taken far too soon."

Police said the 43-year-old female driver of the white Mazda 2 car was not injured.

Sergeant Billy Broatch said: “I’d like to speak to anyone who witnessed this crash or anyone who saw the motorcyclist travelling on the M74 along with another motor bike just prior to the crash taking place.”

Any witnesses are asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.