Tributes to student killed in accident
TRIBUTES have been paid to a university student killed as he crossed a busy Colchester road.Robert Plumber , 20, from Yeovil in Somerset, died on Tuesday when he was in collision with a car on the A133 trunk road at Clingoe hill.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a university student killed as he crossed a busy Colchester road.
Robert Plumber , 20, from Yeovil in Somerset, died on Tuesday when he was in collision with a car on the A133 trunk road at Clingoe hill.
Yesterday, his parents said he had been “thoroughly enjoying” his time in Colchester.
In a statement, they said: “He was in his second year at the University of Essex. He was studying sociology but had no fixed plans beyond his course at the university.
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“He thoroughly enjoyed his course and the friends he had met there.”
The accident happened at the same spot where another student, 22-year-old Richard Watson, was killed last June.
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Yesterday his parents, John and Jenny Watson, called for urgent improvements to the site.
Mr Watson said the lack of lighting and 70mph speed limit made it a dangerous place to cross, although many still chose to do so, despite the presence of a nearby underpass.
He said: “Despite our tragic loss last year it has become so important to us to help, if we can, ensure a safer environment for the young students who will be there for many years to come. It's the only thing we have left.”
Messages attached to flowers left at the crash site yesterday showed how popular and loved Robert was amongst his peers.
One tribute read: “Dear Robby, baby. Love you so much, hun. You were my best lad mate. I will never forget you, sweetheart. I love you more than words can explain.”
People living and studying in the area stopped by to read the messages.
One of them, student Sarah Williams, 20, said the underpass was prone to flooding which caused many people to cross the four lanes above ground.
She said: “If a kid's in a hurry, they're going to try to cross the road. The thing is that sometimes the underpass floods and when that happens people don't use it.
“At this time of year the underpass is alright, but it just seems like such a quick time-saver to dash across the road, but cars come flowing down here.
“A bridge would be a good idea but it's not ideal. I don't know what can be done so these tragedies don't happen again.”
Police investigating the accident, which happened in the Colchester-bound carriage at about 2.45pm, have asked for witnesses to contact them as soon as possible.
The driver of the car involved in the collision, an 86-year-old woman from the Colchester area, was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries and shock.
Anyone with information about the accident, whether drivers or pedestrians, should contact Stanway road policing unit on 01206 762512.
