SHOPKEEPERS have paid tribute to a newsagent who died after being hit by a car on his way home from work.

Kiran Patel had just locked up his shop The Magazine and was crossing Widmore Road just before 6pm on Tuesday (May 31).

A blue Vauxhall Astra hit his left leg and he went flying through the air before hitting his head on the road.

Emergency services were called to the scene and Mr Patel was taken to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, by air ambulance.

He died later in hospital.

Devastated shopkeepers and customers have left floral tributes outside the shop, which did not open yesterday.

And they say Mr Patel and his wife were due to fly out to Rome for a wedding this weekend.

Michele Smith, from the Marianne Jessica bridal shop next door to The Magazine, said: “It’s very very sad.

“He was a very kind man and he will be greatly missed.

“All of the shopholders along here are devastated.

“I just feel so sorry for his family.”

She added: “He knew all of his customers by first name [and] I was absolutely shocked when I heard it was him, I thought it was a school kid [who had been hit].”

Jonnie Temple, from the Unisound music shop on the other side of The Magazine, said: “I chatted to him during the day and it is just a complete shock.

“Everyone knows what a nice guy he was and it has been a complete shock to all of us.

“There is a real sense of loss to this area and it’s not going to be the same again round here.”

Florist Alison McKay, from Bromley Blooms, said: “He was a true gentleman and will be very sadly missed.

“Everyone who went in there would have a good chat with him - he would do anything for anyone.

“The whole parade is in shock and it will never be the same without him.

“We are waiting for it to come out that it’s not real.

“He always thought of others before himself.”

And Dermot McKay, also from Bromley Blooms, said: “From five in the morning to five in the evening he had the same smile on his face.

“He never changed.”

Diane Carey, of Seviton Drive, was one of the many customers who went to the shop to pay her respects and leave flowers.

The 65-year-old had known him for 26 years and said: “He was such a lovely man and it will never be the same again.

“He would always put himself out for you.

“The whole family was so goodhearted.

“I will miss him and it won’t be the same again.”

Deborah Common, of Widmore Road, said: "He worked so hard, he was such a lovely man.

"When you say life is unfair, this is unfair. All he did was work. He always had a smile on his face. He was a superb character.

"I saw him every day. He was the focal point of the community.

"If you asked him for anything, he'd get it.

"Nothing was too much of a problem for him."

The 55-year-old driver of the car, a blue Vauxhall Astra, stopped at the scene.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving without due care and attention and has been bailed to return to a south London police station on September 2.

Any witnesses should call the police on 020 8285 1574.