Mr Fulthorpe, a driver with the transport company died late Monday night, the result of a motorbike accident just 10 kilometres from Bathurst on the Mid Western Highway.

Company director, Graeme Burke described Mr Fulthorpe as the ‘ultimate professional’.

“He was an extremely good driver, one of the best,” Mr Burke said.

Mr Burke and Mr Fulthorpe had been friends or decades.

They went to school together and after finishing their education both did an apprenticeship studying to be motor mechanics.

Mr Burke said Mr Fulthorpe began driving with Jeff Grabham, before taking a position with Burke’s Transport where he stayed for four years.

He left the company for a while, but later returned, and remained there for 11 years until his passing on Monday night.

Mr Burke said he was struggling to come to terms with his mate’s death.

“He was just one of those unbelievably professional people, in whatever he did.

“He always took a mental risk assessment before doing anything, and if it wasn’t safe, he wouldn’t do it.

“He was absolutely professional.

“His death is shocking for everyone.

“Basically, he is irreplaceable,” he said.