The husband of a motorcyclist who died after suffering serious head injuries in an accident on the M25 has paid tribute to his "darling wife".

Sally Crosby was airlifted to hospital in London after crashing her motorbike on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 4 for the A21/A224 and junction 5 for the M26/A21 near Sevenoaks.

One side of the motorway was completely closed following the incident, on April 9, to allow an air ambulance to land.

After being taken to St George's Hospital, the 46-year-old spent nine days in a coma.

Despite efforts made by staff at the neurological intensive care unit to save her, family members were told nothing more could be done.

The mother-of-two continued to breathe by herself for 26 hours after being removed from life support machines.

Mr Crosby said: "I was with her when everything was switched off. She carried on going for over 20 hours.

"It was our wedding anniversary on the Saturday and my son-in-law said to me that she was waiting for our anniversary before she left.

"At five past midnight on the Saturday morning, she died. She waited."

Tributes have been pouring in from friends, family and members of the motorcycle community.

Mr Crosby added: "I haven't been able to read all of the comments posted on Facebook because I keep crying.

"We are part of the biker community and it is so close-knit. We have friends all over the world who have been sending messages of support.

"Sally loved her bike, she was so excited to go out for a drive the day of the accident she was smiling from cheek to cheek.

"That's the last thing I remember about her, is that smile. Her smile would light up her face and her eyes would sparkle.

"She was such a wonderful person she touched so many hearts. She had a heart of gold and had a good thing to say about everyone.

"Bikers are meant to be rugged and tough, but my darling Sally turned me in to a bit of a softy."

Colin Crosby - "That's the last thing I remember about her, is that smile. Her smile would light up her face and her eyes would sparkle."

The 54-year-old has highly praised the work of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, the South East Coast Ambulance Service, Kent Police and staff at St George's Hospital.

He added: "I can't praise the amazing staff from all services enough. The pilot of the air ambulance got in touch to see how Sally was doing. The police officer in charge of the incident called every day to get an update on her condition.

"The co-ordinator at the air ambulance has also invited me to meet the rest of the air ambulance crew who were involved. Sally was resuscitated once on the M25 and once in the helicopter, so without the work of the staff involved she wouldn't have lasted as long as she did.

"The staff at the hospital were amazing, they treated her with dignity and respect and always kept us up to date with everything."

Mr Crosby pledges to donate money raised in future fundraising events to the air ambulance.

He added: "I really hope other people donate to the service, they really could not have done any more for my Sally."

The couple, from Hampshire, had been married for nine years and were planning to renew their wedding vows in August.

A fundraising day in memory of Mrs Crosby will be held at The Talking Head's pub in Southampton on May 1.

Mystery still surrounds the circumstances of the crash and police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Witnesses are asked to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538.

Motorists were criticised at the time of the crash after a number were pictured playing football on the clockwise-carriageway, which was closed to allow an air ambulance to land.