A VILLAGE community has been left reeling after a 30-year-old man died following injuries he sustained in a crash more than a week ago.

Christopher Alderton, from Great Waldingfield, was driving along the A24 at Dial Post in Haywards Heath, Sussex, on Friday, January 14.

He was travelling in a northbound direction when his blue Nissan Micra collided with a Renault recovery truck waiting to turn right into the Old Barn Nurseries at about 6.40pm.

Mr Alderton, of Green Acre, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital with serious head injuries and was later transferred to Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath, Sussex, for further treatment.

He remained at the specialist centre until his tragic death which was announced by Sussex Police yesterday.

The 48-year-old man driving the recovery truck was unhurt in the collision.

The Reverend Caroline Hallet, from the Church of St Lawrence, in Great Waldingfield, said his death was a tragedy for the entire family and all Christopher’s friends and had come as a great shock to the village.

She said: “Everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with the family at this terrible time.”

Sussex Police are still investigating the collision and appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them.