12:10pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
FORMER Wootton Bassett School pupil Paul Payne has been named by Thames Valley Police as the victim of a fatal crash near Reading.
The 23-year-old died on the A329M when his blue Fiat Punto travelling in the direction of Reading collided with a Ford Transit van headed southbound towards Bracknell on Friday.
Last night tributes poured in for the Royal Air Force officer with his mum Sally and dad Chris issuing a police statement.
In it they said: “Paul was a devoted family person who was always polite, courteous and would always put others before himself.
“He brought sunshine to all those he met and although born in Doncaster, most of his life was spent with his service family around the UK.
“During his time at senior school he participated in many sports, particularly in rugby, where he played for the local team. His friends there would remember his table football skills.
“His heart was always set on following his father’s footsteps into the Royal Air Force and after a couple of part time jobs, he was elated when he was successful in May 2006.
“During his short service career he served in Kuwait and spent two tours in Afghanistan. Additionally his thirst for knowledge saw him participating in several career enhancing courses.”
The statement added: “He had many other interests including weightlifting, personal fitness, music and a great love of films of all genres.
“He enjoyed socialising with a wide circle of friends throughout the country and was popular with every one he met. Although he was based in North Yorkshire he took every opportunity to come home to visit his family and friends.
“Paul will be especially missed by long term family friends Keith, Diane, Jessica and Matthew Benjamin of Chippenham and by Roy, Kathy, Kevin and Stuart McCaighy, formerly of Swindon.
“Since his untimely death the response on his Facebook social networking page has clearly illustrated just how popular our son was and he will be deeply missed by all his family and the emptiness of his passing cannot be expressed in any words.”
Paul leaves behind his parents, sisters Abigail and Heather, niece Holly and a large family from Buckinghamshire.
Facebook pal Laura Aitkenhead wrote: “Rip paul, cant believe i wont be bumping into you in town or chippenham again :( you will never be forgotten x x x x”
Funeral details will be released at a future date.
Anyone with any information about the collision, which occurred at 5.30pm, is asked to contact PC Matt Woollams-Seeney at Three Mile Cross Roads Policing base by calling 0845 8 505 505.
If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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