The devastated parents of a 19-year-old man from the Shropshire border, whose death helped save the lives of six others, say they are “proud of him in life, and proud of him in death”.

Joshua Bowen, from Bronington, near Whitchurch, died following a car crash in Queensland, Australia. The former Bronington and Maelor School pupil had been travelling with friends during a gap year.

He was declared brain dead at the Royal Brisbane Hospital days later, and his organs donated to six Australian people.

Today Joshua’s father Simon said he and wife Celia were extremely proud of their son.

Mr Bowen said they made the decision to donate Joshua’s organs as a family, because he had been interested in science and they believed he would have wanted to help others.

“We talked abut it as a family and knew that’s what he would have wanted,” he said.

“It’s a personal decision whether to donate; he was a scientist and very much a helper and he was such a kind person, so it was in his nature.”

Mr Bowen said Joshua, who left the Maelor School at Penley with five grade A A-levels, had been looking forward to joining the veterinary school at the University of Edinburgh in September.

“He was so popular he had such a lot of friends and he was liked and everyone talked about his humour and his lovely smile and there was no one that was not affected by him,” he said

“We were proud of Josh in life and proud of him in death with his last contribution.”

Joshua leaves brothers Daniel, 21, and Elliot, 15.

Graham Timms, head of science at the Maelor School, also paid tribute.

“Although nothing can compensate for his tragic death at such a young age, it gives us all some comfort to know that others will receive hope as a result of his organ donations,” he said.

“He was always fascinated with the advancements being made in science and I know that he would have wanted to give life and hope to others in this way.”

Joshua’s funeral will take place on Tuesday at the Holy Trinity Church in Bronington from 11am. People are invited to make donations to the veterinary school at Edinburgh University in Joshua’s memory.

By Abigail Bates