TRIBUTES have been paid to a “wonderful, funny and much loved boy” by family and friends of 22-year-old Jack Jones, who died following a horrific car crash in Charfield on Sunday.

Jack, a traffic administrator and former student of Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton, had been a passenger in the two-car collision, which took place on Wotton Road at around 7.30pm, and was rushed to Southmead Hospital by ambulance.

Police confirmed on Monday morning that a 22-year-old man, later named locally as Jack, who had been a rear seat passenger in the Fiesta, had died in the early hours of Monday morning.

An outpouring of tributes have been paid following the announcement of Jack’s death, with many leaving beautiful flowers and messages along the pavement where the accident took place.

Paramedics, police, firefighters and an air ambulance were called to the scene, with dozens of residents also volunteering to assist in the recovery efforts.

The driver and front seat passenger of the car Jack was in, a 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old man, were also taken to the same hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Gazette Series:

The driver of the other car, a 23-year-old man, was not injured.

Jack’s mum, Lea Watson, described her son as a “wonderful, funny and much loved boy”.

“He wasn’t perfect but he was a kind soul with a good heart,” she said. “As a family, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection shown for Jack.

“We are so grateful for all the support shown by our community. The loss of our boy is incomprehensible.”

She added that she and the rest of Jack’s family would be forever grateful to the emergency services, the hospital and those that helped Jack after the accident.

Many paid their respects to Jack on social media, including close friends Adam Spiers and Nicola Richings.

Posting on Facebook, Adam said: “Literally heartbroken. Don’t really know what to say. Lost my brother and best mate. RIP love you always.”

Nicola added: “Losing a best mate puts a lot into perspective. It brings people closer together and makes you see who you never really had.

“RIP Jack, my life will never be the same again.”

Among the flowers and messages were pictures of Jack and his friends, as well as boxing gloves and football shirts, two of his favourite hobbies, having played for Charfield AFC.

Hundreds also gathered in the Railway Tavern in Charfield on Monday to raise a glass in memory of Jack.

Among the messages left with the flowers, one person wrote: “To our Jack the Lad, you will be missed more than you will ever know. Our thoughts are with all the families. God bless.”

Another wrote: “RIP brother, funniest kid I know. Gonna miss you Taradactle!”

Others included: “You’ll be missed and loved by so many. Rest in peace Jack. All my love” and “Memories will be remembered RIP.”

Anyone who saw the crash and is yet to speak to police is asked to call 101, giving log number 861 of January 28.