The father of one of the victims who died in a road crash in Shropshire today described him as “kind and gentle” and willing to help anyone. Robert McLoughlin, 19, known as Bob, died when his Vauxhall Corsa collided with another car and burst into flames on the A495 road between Whittington and Welsh Frankton near Ellesmere on Saturday night.

Corrine Thomas, 24, and Kiera Smyth, 18, both from Ellesmere, also died in the accident. An inquest on the three was due to be opened today.

Two other passengers, a 37-year-old woman and a 17-year-old woman, were seriously injured and remained stable in hospital today.

David McLoughlin, from Liverpool, said: “Robert was a lovely kid. He was the youngest of four, so he was spoilt by his brother and sisters. He was kind and he never had a bad word to say about anyone.

“He always thought of himself as Robert McLoughlin from Ellesmere.

“His girlfriend, Bekah, was here, and his friends were here, so he called it home.

“He had found true happiness with Bekah, with whom he was the happiest I have ever seen him. For that I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

“He would go out of his way to help anyone,” he said.

Mr McLoughlin said Robert had been working as an apprentice at Liverpool based Tawd Garage for 12 months, and he loved his job.

Robert leaves mother Val, brother David, 22, and sisters Michelle, 25 and Victoria, 27, as well as girlfriend Bekah Roberts.

The funeral service for Robert will be held next Wednesday at 1pm at St Mary’s Church, Ellesmere.