A COMMUNITY has united to pay tribute to a popular teenager who was killed in a crash.

Louis Eldridge, a student at Rednock School in Dursley, was airlifted to Southmead Hospital after he was in a collision with a car while riding his bicycle in Station Road, Wanswell, on Friday night.

The 14-year-old from Berkeley remained in a critical condition until Saturday afternoon, when he died from his injuries.

In a statement, his parents Mike Eldridge and Kate Free paid tribute to their “cherished” son.

They said: “Our beautiful son Louis sadly passed away at 1.30pm on May 21, 2016. He was very much loved and cherished by his mum and dad and all his family and friends. 

“We would like to thank you for your kind words and prayers.”

Following Louis' death, scores of people have donated to a fund to support his family and pay for a  permanent memorial to him, with more than £1,500 raised in just days. 

An online campaign has raised over more than £650 so far while £850 was collected at a memorial event organised by Sharpness & District Youth Club on Monday evening.

About 180 people met at Sharpness Village Hall to remember Louis, who occasionally attended the club. Dozens of blue balloons were released as they paid tribute to their friend.

Blue has been adopted as the colour of remembrance for Louis, with balloons also released under the railway bridge in Station Road, Wanswell. 

Dozens of messages and bunches of flowers have been left beneath the bridge by friends and family, most using the adopted #blueforlou, paying tribute to “happy and lovely” Louis.

“It’s so sad that you have left us,” one reads. “You were such a happy and lovely boy – you didn’t serve this.”

Another message reads: “RIP Louis, I can’t believe you’re gone.

“We have some good memories together from back in Year 7.

“You never failed to make people smile and always used to be the class clown.

“I miss you so much Louis and you will always be in my heart.”

Louis’ girlfriend, Sophie Turl, paid tribute to him on Facebook.

She said: “RIP Louis. You’re going to be missed by a hell of a lot of people. 

“I can’t believe it’s really true. I’m going to miss you so much, you don’t understand. You stay safe up there, love you loads.” 

Rednock School in Dursley had counsellors on hand to offer support to grieving students this week and observed a minute of silence on Monday which headteacher David Alexander said all students conducted “absolutely impeccably”. 

“It really was quite shocking, and very sad that a young life has been taken away so early,” said Mr Alexander.

“He was such a lovely lively lad.”

Mr Alexander expressed his pride in his students for honouring Louis so well and told the Gazette that the school were planning to raise funds for a fitting memorial after next week’s half term break. For the memorial, students will up with ideas before Louis’ parents make the final decision. 

Before starting at Rednock Louis was a pupil at Berkeley Primary School where a series of remembrance events have been planned.

On Monday, a special assembly was held and pupils and staff will dress in blue on Friday and release balloons in his memory.

At about 7.35pm on Friday Louis was in collision with a Volkswagen Polo being driven by a Dursley man whilst riding a bike on Station Road in Wanswell.

He was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in a critical condition. No one else was injured in the incident and no arrests have been made.

Anyone who witnessed the collision but has yet to speak to police should call 101 and quote incident 479 of May 20. 

The online fundraising campaign can be found at gofundme.com/2595u2j8
Details of Louis’ funeral are to be confirmed and will be available via gazetteseries.co.uk when they are released.