Tributes to Steven (From Gazette Series)

Tributes to Steven

THE parents of a teenager who was killed in a car blaze near Wotton-under-Edge earlier this month have paid tribute to their son.

Steven Warner, 18 from Avening, died when the blue Vauxhall Astra he was driving crashed into a tree and burst into flames on Rushmire Hill along the B4058 near Cotswold Edge Golf Club.

His parents Liz and Martin Warner said this week that all their son wanted was to be a mechanic.

"Even before he could drive he was always in the tool box, taking apart pushbikes and engines," they said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"When he was three he lost his dad's keys in a tool box he had been playing with. We didn't find them until three years later," said Mrs Warner.

Known as Harry Potter to his friends, Steven attended Avening Primary School and Sir William Romney's School in Tetbury, which he left aged 16 after studying for his GCSEs.

Steven worked briefly at a go-kart track at Aston Down before following his childhood dream and becoming an apprentice mechanic for car firm Audi.

Mrs Warner said: "He seemed to be doing well with them and at the college he was attending in Bridgewater.

"It was what he wanted to do."

A dedicated mechanic at work, Steven's hobbies reflected his professional interests.

"He was always sorting out his mates' cars and push bikes. If it was anything mechanical he would always offer to help.

"He was always out having fun with his friends," added Mrs Warner.

At the time of his death Steven was living with his mum and dad and sisters Kerry, 15, and Emily, 5, at the family home in Sunground, Avening.

In their tribute to Steven, his parents thanked those members of the public and the emergency services who tried to help their son in his last moments.

Steven's funeral will be held at Shipton Moyne Parish Church on Tuesday, April 25 (2pm). Anyone who knew Steven is welcome to attend.