A young father was killed in a motorcycle crash in the early hours of yesterday.
The rider, named locally as Luke Gibbs, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.
The crash happened at about 4.50am in Belton Road, Loughborough, at the Meadow Lane and Ratcliffe Road junction.
Police said the rider came off what they described as a "high-powered motorbike".
They added that emergency services were called to the scene by a member of the public.
Yesterday, shocked friends gathered at the scene of the crash to lay flowers and tributes.
One friend, who did not want to be named, said: "I still can't believe it.
"Luke was such a great young lad and had a young daughter who was the spitting image of him.
"He was well-known in the town. No-one can get their heads around what's happened.
"His parents are in absolute bits. Everyone is devastated.
"It's hard to come to terms with. I only saw him the other day."
It is understood the motorbike was travelling into Belton Road from the Ratcliffe Road direction when the rider lost control of the machine and hit a traffic light pole.
A shopkeeper, who did not want to give their name, said: "I'm told the bike crashed into the light and the rider came off, with the bike continuing into someone's garden.
"His friends have been coming and going all day. They are obviously very upset.
"It's such a terrible waste of a young life.
"You can only imagine how his family are feeling."
Tributes have been left at the traffic light pole, which has been bent backwards at an angle. A few yards further on could be seen a large hole in a garden fence, through which the motorbike is believed to have crashed. A neighbour said she and her husband were awoken with a start by the noise of the collision.
"I was in bed asleep when I was startled by this almighty bang," she said.
"The bike was in our neighbour's garden but it wasn't until paramedics started to arrive I realised someone was lying on the ground.
"They worked so hard to save his life. It was heart-breaking."
People who knew Mr Gibbs said he had spent the previous day with a group of friends, who had enjoyed a day out together. One close pal, Darren Lawson, was among the many who took to the internet to pay tribute to Mr Gibbs and express their shock at his death.
Describing Mr Gibbs as "like a brother" to him, Mr Lawson wrote: "Words can't describe the way i feel, with u1minit few hours later ur gone heaven has gained a new angel but il miss u 4a lifetime x."
An investigation has been launched into the crash, and police are urging anyone with any information about what happened to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Mark Watling, of the force's serious collision investigation unit, said: "We would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or saw the rider beforehand to please get in touch."
The junction was closed yesterday morning while crash investigators examined the scene. It reopened at about 11am. Anyone with information should call police on 101.
