FAMILY and friends devastated by the death of two young men in a road crash have paid tribute to them.

And one of those families has been left facing up to the loss of two sons in five years.

Kyle Thomson, 21, and Jack Pritchard, 19, were killed when the Citroen Saxo Kyle was driving was involved in a collision with a Mercedes on the A438 near Bridge Sollars last Tuesday at about 9.50pm.

It is the sixth fatal collision in the county this year.

For Mr Thomson’s family it is another terrible loss – his teenage brother Stuart drowned in the River Wye in 2009.

A family statement described Kyle as “cheeky, loveable and full of life”.

“We have lost our precious son. Words simply cannot convey the pain we are currently experiencing.”

He was described as a young man who “had a lot of good friends and would do anything to help anyone”.

“Kyle, who was affectionately known as Tosh to his family and friends, loved cars and mechanics, had a lot of good friends and would do anything to help anyone. We are very proud of Kyle and the way he dealt with the tragic loss of his brother five years ago.

“We are devastated by Kyle’s untimely death but comforted by the fond memories we will hold on to.”

Stuart Thomson, 17, had been paddling with friends in June, 2009, when he got into trouble near Bredwardine Bridge.

In a statement, Jack Pritchard’s family said: “We have lost our treasured son. Jack was beautiful; a wonderful, kind soul who was caring and utterly selfless. There was nothing he wouldn’t give or do for his family and friends.

Jack loved cars, mechanics and was so fond of animals.

There are no words to express the pain we are currently experiencing.”

Mr Pritchard had recently gained employment at Hereford’s Booker store but was passionate about building work, according to his brother.

Edward Pritchard added that he thought his brother was likely to follow in the footsteps of dad Bryan who has his own building company in the county.

His brother said he was also a loving uncle to two-year-old niece Lilly-Alice.

Tributes to both men have been paid from across the county and Mr Thomson’s former head teacher at Kingstone High School, Steven Fisher, paid tribute to “a fun loving young man who had many friends in the school and in the local community.”

Mr Pritchard’s funeral takes place today at Clodock Church at 1.30pm.

The driver of the Mercedes, a 60-year-old woman, and the front seat passenger, a 70-year-old man, sustained injuries and were taken to Hereford hospital by ambulance.

Witnesses to the collision should call 101.

More tributes from Mr Pritchard and Mr Thomson's friends are below.

  • Connor Morgan said: "Kyle and Jack were both my best mates. We all shared the same interests which were cars, bikes and music but Kyle was the mechanic of the group - he taught me and Jack everything we know about mechanics and was one of the best young mechanics around.

"They both had hearts of gold. Everyone always used to call us the "three musketeers" because we were always together. Not a day will go by that I don't think of you both."

  • Connor's sister, Poppy Morgan, said: "Jack was such a kind-hearted young lad and was always the shy one of the three. Whenever he came through our door he always said hello and had great manners. Rest in peace Jack."

"Kyle was was always guaranteed to be the life and soul of the party - his jokes and antics could always bring smiles to those around him. My 21st birthday party was such a laugh, especially with Kyle dancing around pulling the faces he did, it really made my night. He had a great outlook on life and always planned to live it to the full. Kyle had a big heart, especially for his pet dogs.  He didn't have a bad bone in his body."

 

  • Roxie Bowley, the mother of Mr Thomson's godson, said: "Kyle was not just my friend he was like my brother - he always knew how to make people smile and didn't have a bad bone in his body. I remember the day we went to Hay Bluff for the day - me, Kyle, Jack, Connor and Jayden. I have so many amazing memories with Kyle. Jayden's lost his only godfather but he will always know who you are."