Tributes to student killed in car crash

Tributes have today been paid to a 'thoughtful and generous' 21-year-old student who was killed when his car smashed into a tree near Newport earlier this week.

Hugh Eyre-Walker, from Church Street in Hinstock near Market Drayton, was a second year university student and has been described by his family as 'hugely popular and loved'.

The former Hinstock Primary School pupil died at the scene on the A41, near St- anford Bridge in Sambrook, just before 1am on Wednesday on his way back from seeing friends in Newport.

His family today said he dreamed of becoming a policeman and was studying policing and criminal investigation at Staffordshire University.

His mother Liz, 53, and father James, 51, said they had been left devastated.

Mrs Eyre-Walker said: "Hugh was a very friendly and gentle person. He was thoughtful, generous and hugely popular.

"He had a lot of friends both in Newport and Market Drayton. There have been lots of tributes on Facebook and a lot of support from everybody around, we are grateful for the support.

"Hugh was much loved and will be sadly missed. He was tragically taken from us."

Mr Eyre-Walker said: "He would never get angry.

"He was a very determined and moral person. He hated prejudice.

"He loved to travel, he has been to Africa a number of times and recently got back from New Zealand and America with his cousin. He loved walking, shooting, loved his dogs and wanted to be a vet at one point."

Hugh had attended Burton Borough High School in Newport and New College, Telford.

His brother Piers, 23, said: "He had a good dry sense of humour.

"He was very funny and loved watching comedy and films."

His aunt, Kitty Molloy, 52, from Hertfordshire, said: "Nobody could have a word against him.

"It sounds a cliche but is it true, there is nothing that I can fault him on. He had a quiet charm."

An inquest on the 21-year-old was opened and adjourned by coroner John Ellery yesterday.

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