Family grieves for son (From Stroud News and Journal)

Family grieves for son

A FREAK accident has robbed a Chalford family of their 21-year-old son.

Nick Summers, a student at King's College, London, was waiting on the central island of a zebra crossing in Camden with his girlfriend when the accident happened.

A car mounted the kerb, ploughing into a traffic light pole which fell on him, injuring his head and chest.

He was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead where he died from his injuries. "We're devastated," said Nick's grief-stricken father, Mark.

"He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"It's a parent's worse nightmare that something like this will happen, that a freak accident will come and take a child away.

"This is probably the worse thing that has happened to any of us but we've got to get on, if only to do the best we can for his brothers Tim and Chris."

Nick's father and mother Sandra are grateful for the fact they had spoken to their son just hours before the tragic accident on June 16.

"We had seen him that day," said Mr Summers. "That's something which will obviously provide us something to reflect on.

"He had to vacate his flat and we were down in London helping him move his things."

A capable sportsman and music fan, Nick was just finishing his second year of a joint history and geography degree.

Swindon Town supporter Nick had always been a keen footballer, playing for school teams at Marling in Stroud, for the district youth team and more recently for Oakridge and Chalford.

Though he had not yet decided on a career he had considered becoming a journalist.

Nick's funeral was held at France Lynch Parish Church last Thursday while a simultaneous service of prayers and reflection was held at King's College for his university friends who could not make it up to Gloucestershire.

"People couldn't have been kinder and more helpful," said Mr Summers.

"It was an extremely nice service and we were very well supported by a tremendous number of friends from the community and Nick's friends from schools and sports clubs.

"A lot came up together from London for the funeral as well." His family has been deeply touched by the support it has received.

"We had a get together after the funeral and it was heaving. "It was nice to talk to some of his friends from the London group who we hadn't met before."

"We've been overwhelmed by how good people have been to us - we're taking great comfort from that.

"People came from all corners to support us." "It seems Nick will be remembered fondly by a lot of people."