Tom Nixon

Tributes were today paid to two young men killed in a crash on a main north Shropshire road.

The victims, named locally as Tom Nixon, 19, and Adam Childs, 20, were both from the Prees area, near Whitchurch. The former Sir John Talbot’s Technology College pupils died on the A41 at Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, about 300 yards from the A53 roundabout.

The smash happened just before 11pm on Wednesday and left two people travelling in another car needing hospital treatment.

Olivia Glackin, deputy head teacher at the Whitchurch school, said in a statement that the men had both taken their GCSEs at the school.

Adam Childs

She added: “We are shocked and saddened by the deaths of two of our ex-students. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Adam and Tom.

“Adam was a very friendly young man and a team player who cared about others. He was so supportive of others and always had friends around him.

“Tom was a lively, positive, full of life individual.

“He got on with everyone and was very popular with staff — a real character.”

Paul Wynn, Shropshire Council member for Prees, today called for better safety measures on the A41.

He said: “It’s a very dangerous road and I think the A53 roundabout is already very busy and it will get worse because there is planning permission for a motel there now.”

Mr Nixon, who was the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa, and his front seat passenger Mr Childs were killed when their vehicle collided with an Audi A5.

Police launched an immediate investigation and today renewed an appeal for witnesses to come forward by calling 03003 333000.

More than 600 friends and family have contributed to a tribute page to the young men on social networking site Facebook. Pictures of the two men have been posted on it by friends.

Floral tributes have also been left at the scene, close to the Longford turning off the A41.

Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery has been informed and an inquest is due to be opened once postmortem examinations have been completed.

By Tom Johannsen