Tributes to Harper Adams student killed in road accident
© George Crawford/ Facebook Tributes have poured in for a popular and much-loved Harper Adams University student who died after being hit by a car in a road accident.
George Crawford, 20, was struck by a car in Newport, Shropshire, in the early hours of Sunday 7 October after a night out with friends.
West Mercia Police is appealing for information about the collision, which happened at the junction of Forton Road and Sunny Gardens at 4.10am.
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He was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, but died nine hours later from his injuries. The driver of the car was unhurt.
Mr Crawford, a keen horse rider from Melrose, in the Scottish Borders, had been studying agricultural studies at the university.
He had previously gained a Level 3 qualification in agriculture at Newton Rigg College, Cumbria.
His heartbroken parents, Cameron and Mary Crawford, said they were desperate for people to come forward with information to help them understand their son’s last hours.
Paying tribute, Mr Crawford’s father told the BBC: “My son was a loving, caring boy. You would go into a grey room and George would light up that room.”
Mistaken identity
It has emerged, however, that police wrongly identified Mr Crawford because he had accidentally switched wallets with a friend during the night out.
“Unfortunately, when George was found at the accident, the police officer went into George’s pockets to try to ID him,” said Mr Crawford Snr.
“And unfortunately when he pulled George’s friend Oliver’s card out of his wallet, that’s where the mix-up in ID came from.”
Oliver’s parents were called to identify their son in hospital, but they discovered it was Mr Crawford who died in intensive care – and his parent’s knew nothing about it.
“Their biggest lottery win ever was walking into the room at a quarter to one to see that their son actually wasn’t their son,” added Mr Crawford Snr.
“Their gain was our loss and that is the point we will have to live with forever. We could have been there.”
Mr Crawford Snr said he did not blame the police for the mix-up, but added that he hoped lessons would be learned that mistaken identities can happen.
Friends have also paid emotional tributes to Mr Crawford on Facebook.
Will Chisholm, who studied with Mr Crawford at Newton Rigg College, posted a picture of himself and Mr Crawford, saying: “I can’t believe I’m having to say this. But RIP George Crawford, you absolute legend.
“You were taken far too early. I have nothing but great memories with you. [It] was never a dull time when you were around.
“Words can’t describe how much I will miss you… you were really something quite special… RIP mate. Fly high and party high up there.”
Students ‘deeply upset’
In a statement, David Llewellyn, vice-chancellor of Harper Adams University, paid tribute to Mr Crawford.
“We were deeply upset to learn of the loss of George and our sincerest condolences are extended to his family and friends at this time,” said Dr Llewellyn.
“Students at the university are being given every support possible as they come to terms with the loss of someone who had already become a new friend to many in our student community.
“We are in touch with George’s family and will be doing all we can to help them at this difficult time and to support the investigation by the authorities of this tragic incident.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting reference 106s 071018.