A 40-YEAR-OLD Hereford man has been killed in a road accident - 12 years after tragedy claimed the life of his younger brother.

Ben Karter, of Belmont Road, was travelling to a family reunion in Carmarthen last Saturday when his Ford Escort was in collision with a Skoda Octavia on the A40 near Nantgaredig in south-west Wales.

For friends and family, Ben's death has brought back the horrific memories of 1992 when his 15-year-old brother, Georgie Bulford, was killed while riding his bike near Bridge Sollers.

Their 65-year-old dad, George Bulford, has now lost two of his four sons on the road.

"It is hard enough losing one son, but to lose another is just unbearable," he said. "The deaths were very similar and it just brings back all those terrible memories from before."

His step-mum, Lyn Bulford, asked: "How can it happen a second time? What have we done to deserve this?"

The accident happened as Ben, who had worked for the Royal Mail in Hereford since 1987, was driving to Carmarthen to take on the role as head of the family.

"Now that I am 65, I wanted someone else to be the head of the family and that's why Ben was coming down - to take on the new leading role," George explained. "But now he has gone, I no longer have the shoulder to cry on that I need."

Hazel Bulford said her brother's death had hit all the family hard, but their father was feeling it the most.

"It is a terrible tragedy for all of us, but especially for dad, who is having to deal with losing a son all over again," she said.

"Ben did not really have any hobbies because he was always working - whether it be at the post office or through his own BK Maintenance business," she said. "He was just a workaholic and would do anything for anybody and anyone."

Steve Burge, delivery office manager at Royal Mail Hereford, said: "Ben was a valued and popular member of the Royal Mail team in Hereford. He will be greatly missed by all of his colleagues and all our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Ben leaves his wife Linda, his stepson Jay and his stepdaughter Laura. His funeral will be held at St Martin's Church, Hereford, next Tuesday at 1pm.