Tributes follow death of Ledbury teenager James Loader

11:00am Thursday 13th November 2008

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a Herefordshire teenager who died following an accident in Ledbury.

James Loader, aged 19, died after an accident on the A438 Leadon Way at the junction with Martins Way on Monday at 11.33pm.

Mr Loader, from Ledbury, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Ford Fiesta was in collision with a Volvo HGV articulated lorry.

The 63-year-old lorry driver suffered non-life threatening injuries.

“I would like to highlight the saying that only the good dying young. This is because it’s terribly true,” said his friend Steven Young.

“He was a very caring person and it’s definitely a shock to the system. He was a dedicated brother and boyfriend.

“Everybody is devastated especially when there have been so many road accidents around the area of late.”

Mr Loader, who was known locally as Bluey, worked at St Peters Peugeot Garage in Worcester as an apprentice technician.

General manager Brian Wilcox said he had been with the garage for around three years and would be badly missed.

“He was a very successful apprentice. He was a valuable member of the team and liked by everybody. He had a very bright future. He knuckled down with his training and worked extremely hard. He had just got to the point where he was going to qualify.”

Mr Loader was a former pupil of John Masefield High School and headteacher, Andrew Evans, said: “James was a gentle, quietly spoken young man.

He was kind and considerate and enjoyed practical subjects at school. Our thoughts are with James’ family at this very sad time.”

Police say Mr Loader’s Fiesta was emerging from Martins Way on to the A438 and the HGV was travelling towards Gloucester.

Two fire crews from Ledbury attended.Two ambulance crews, an incident support officer and two paramedics from MARS (Mercia Accident Rescue Service) also attended.

Herefordshire’s coroner has been informed and an inquest is expected to open later.

Anyone with information can call PC Darren Collett on 0300 333 3000.