HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a “sweet, caring lad” who died in a crash on the A14 last week.

Adam Weller, 19, was killed in the accident on the dual carriageway at Bury St Edmunds on Thursday, January 24. His passenger and friend Macauley Clements, 16, died from his injuries the following day.

Adam’s family said he had a lot to look forward to and was a much-loved grandson, son, brother and friend, who would always go out of his way to help anyone.

The touching comments came just three days after the family of Macauley issued similar remarks, saying the support they received following his death had been “overwhelming”.

The 16-year-old, of Carpenter Close, Ixworth, near Bury, died in hospital the day after he was seriously hurt in the accident.

He had been a passenger in a BMW driven by Adam, from Weeting, near Brandon, which ended up hitting a tree. Adam died at the scene of the crash.

Adam’s family said: “Everyone who knew Adam would always say what a sweet, caring lad he was and what a lovely person he was to be around – so easy-going and he always saw the good in everyone. He never had a bad word to say about anyone.”

The family had only recently moved to Weeting but Adam always saw himself as an Ixworth lad, having been born there and lived there for most of his 19 years.

“He spent most of his spare time in the village and Bury with his many friends,” his family said. “Most of his friends had been friends since primary school with many of their parents treating Adam as part of their own families. Adam liked nothing better then going for a ride on his motocross bike. He also enjoyed fishing and playing golf with his dad.

“Adam had gone to Ixworth Primary, Ixworth Middle then on to Thurston Upper School. Adam found school hard but enjoyed science and engineering and did well in both.

“He loved helping out at his friend’s dad’s garage, and really found his feet when he was taken on at Truckeast Thetford as a HGV trainee mechanic.

“He really loved his job, never moaned about going in and got on well with all his co-workers, who all became good friends.

“As a family we could go on forever about what a great person Adam was, but it will never bring him back or take away the pain or sadness that we are all feeling.

“There will never be a word to cover just how we are feeling. We can honestly say we didn’t know just how many lives Adam had touched.

“We would like to thank everyone for their kind words, cards and flowers. And everyone involved at the scene whose jobs often put them in great danger. Hospital staff, coroner and our family liaison officer.”

A service will be held for Adam at West Suffolk Crematorium on Wednesday, February 13, at 3.45pm. Anyone wishing to send flowers or a donation can do so to L Fulcher Funeral Directors, 80 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1NX.

TRIBUTE TO ADAM FROM THURSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The college where Adam was a former pupil also paid tribute to the teenager calling him a “wonderful young man; caring, kind and thoughtful”.

In a joint statement issued by the principal Helen Wilson, his tutor Charlotte Johnson, English teacher Angela Tegg and behaviour support officer Colin Branch, they said he was hard working and showed a determination to fulfil his ambition of joining the Army.”

It added: “He was fit, active and led an adventurous life, never afraid to try new activities. He loved being part of a team, enjoying the opportunity to exert his quiet leadership.

“Adam was a young man who demonstrated huge amounts of integrity and was never afraid to stand out from the crowd, always showing respect to his peers and staff.

“His mature and sensible outlook, coupled with his gentle nature, earned him respect from all members of our college community.

“He had a quiet sense of humour which he carried with a cheeky smile.

“Adam wore his heart on his sleeve, was an open book and showed fierce loyalty to his friends.

“Adam was a popular and well loved student who made a lasting impression on those who knew him; he will be greatly missed.

“We have no shadow of a doubt that Adam, displaying such ambition, strength and fitness, would have excelled quickly through the ranks and been an invaluable member of the British Armed Forces.

“The tragic news of Adam’s death has devastated our college community and on behalf of all students and staff we would like to offer our sincere condolences to their families and friends.”