By Patrick Lowman THE devastated parents of a teenager killed in an horrific road accident have paid an emotional tribute to their “wonderful and bubbly” son.

By Patrick Lowman

THE devastated parents of a teenager killed in an horrific road accident have paid an emotional tribute to their “wonderful and bubbly” son.

Ryan Morrissey, 18, from Long Melford, died when his Ford Fiesta left the road and crashed into the side of a factory where he once worked.

Last night his devastated parents, John and Carole, paid tribute to their youngest son and spoke of their enormous loss.

Mrs Morrissey said: “He was a very happy-go-lucky, bubbly lad who got on with everybody, he had so many friends.

“He was always willing to help others and was a very good-natured, fun-loving boy. We're just going to miss him so much.”

The accident happened on Ballingdon Hill, Sudbury, on Sunday night after the teenager's car left the road.

It ploughed through a hedge and crashed into the side of the Sharp Labels factory where Ryan worked as a trainee printer up until about six months ago.

Ryan, of Meeting Field, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three friends who were also in the car were taken to the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds with minor injuries.

All three have now been discharged from hospital and are believed to be making a good recovery.

Ryan was born two months premature at the West Suffolk Hospital after his family had moved to Great Cornard from Cornwall.

He spent the first five weeks of his life at the hospital's special care unit and then needed further treatment at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.

Ryan eventually made a full recovery, led an active life and was dedicated to several martial arts.

Mr Morrissey said: “It is so sad, he was very ill when he was a baby, but he pulled through, then something so tragic like this happens when he is so young, we are just devastated.”

Ryan was a well-known and popular figure in the communities of Long Melford, Great Cornard and Sudbury.

He was originally educated at Pot Kiln Primary School in Great Cornard and later went on to study at Uplands Middle School in Sudbury and Sudbury Upper School.

After moving with his family to Long Melford nine years ago, the teenager took up a paper round in the village and also had a part-time job at the Spar shop.

On leaving school, Ryan studied information technology at West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, before joining Sharp Labels as a trainee printer.

He left the printing firm about six months ago to work for Fleetwood Caravans in Long Melford.

Ryan's greatest love was martial arts and he was a member of Long Melford Karate Club, where he had worked his way up to brown belt.

He also studied kung fu and tai chi at Yellow Dot Sports Club in Sudbury and judo at a club in Halstead.

The teenager - who had an older brother, Simon, 27 - had only purchased his Ford Fiesta only a few days ago and it was his pride and joy.

Mrs Morrissey said: “His two greatest interests were his martial arts and his car. He only got the car two-and-a-half weeks ago and his father checked it thoroughly.

“We don't really know what happened at the moment, we don't even know what Ryan was doing at Ballingdon Hill.

“We are struggling to come to terms with what has happened, he was so young and a lovely, wonderful boy. He was such a caring kid.”

Sharp Labels' managing director, John Sharp, also paid tribute to his former employee.

“Ryan was a nice lad and everybody here is very upset. Our condolences and thoughts go out to his family and we hope the other three make a speedy recovery.”

patrick.lowman@eadt.co.uk