THE family of a man who died after a lorry he was moving collided with a set of traffic lights by the Red Funnel ferry terminal in Southampton have paid tribute to their ‘loving partner and doting father’.

The collision happened at around 5.45am on Thursday, 15 June - the first day of the Isle of Wight Festival, a busy day for the ferry company.

Livai Boila was driving a tug to move a white HGV trailer from the terminal when his vehicle collided with a set of traffic lights on Town Quay, according to police, damaging overhead electric cables.

Emergency services were called and police closed the road for a couple of hours while paramedics treated the 40-year-old from Bournemouth and made the area safe.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

A police spokesperson said that 'despite their best efforts and members of the public who stopped to help', the father was later pronounced dead.

In a tribute to him issued by the police, his family said: "Livai was a loving partner, doting father, beloved brother, son, uncle and grand uncle to all his family in Fiji and the UK.

"He was a jovial personality, life of any party, always smiling, always joking and ensured smiles from ear to ear.

"Livai was a hard worker, diligent and true to himself and always performed to the best of his capabilities.

"He was well loved by his extended family, the Fijian diaspora where he was known and all his colleagues at work.

"Livai was a supportive, loving and comforting partner, the best support system anyone could ever ask for, he was a present and loving father to his son who was his whole world and our rock.

"He will surely and sorely be missed."

His family also wanted to "extend their sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Red Funnel, the emergency services and all the staff at Southampton Hospital, who were all with him until the very end".

"Vinaka vakalevu (Thank you very much) and God bless you all," they said.

This follows a tribute by Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins, who said: “All of us at Red Funnel are shocked and saddened by the passing of our colleague.

"I am proud of my Red Funnel colleagues, who responded compassionately and professionally throughout what was an incredibly emotional day."

The company flew their flag at half mast as a sign of respect for their employee.

Anyone with information about the collision who has not already spoken to the police should contact them via the police website, or call 101, quoting reference 44230236833.