Friends' tribute to teenager killed in accident (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Former Townsend School pupil Craig Burns was 'brilliant' say friends

1:20pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Mike Wright

Friends of a former Townsend School pupil who was killed in a car accident last week have spoken of their shock and sadness.

Craig Burns died at the scene on the A4147 Hemel Hempstead Road, at the junction with Appspond Lane and Beechtree Lane, after being hit by a Citroen C3 just before 5pm on Wednesday.

Since the accident distraught friends of the 18-year-old have visited the spot and left floral tributes, picture collages of the youngster and cuddly toys.

On Friday tearful mourners, some accompanied by their parents, congregated at the spot and comforted each other.

News of the death also provoked an outpouring of grief on social media sites, with friends posting an emotional tribute to Craig on the video sharing website YouTube.

Friends who knew Craig from his time at Townsend Church of England School in St Albans said they would never forget their friend who was “always smiling”.

Craig was believed to have been heading to work at Marks & Spencer in St Peters Street when the accident happened Chris Saxby, who worked with Craig at the high street store, said he had texted him earlier that day to say he was on his way into work.

Chris, 17, from Welwyn Garden City, said he became worried when Craig failed to show up and went looking for him.

He said: “I went looking for him and saw the road was closed off but it didn’t click straight away that it was the accident involving Craig.”

Craig’s friends learnt the tragic news that night.

Jason Baldwin, who also knew Craig from their time at Townsend, said many of his friends from the school were at a house party in Hatfield when they were told.

He said: “We were all there when we got the call from one of his best mates saying he was on his way. We were all sat in the front room when he told us, everyone was crying.”

Craig’s friends said they would always remember him as a warm, optimistic young man with an infectious sense of humour.

Chris said: “He was brilliant. Out of everyone I knew he always made me happy. His outlook on life was brilliant.

“If I ever needed someone to make me laugh or cheer me up I would have gone to him.”

Jason added: “No one will forget him, he was a character and everyone knew him.

“He was always smiling, that’s what I will remember about him."

At the time of his death Craig lived in Hemel Hempstead and was studying at West Herts College in Watford Gill Worgan, principal of West Herts College, said: “To hear that a young life has been cut short in such tragic circumstances is always difficult.

”The thoughts of everyone at the college are with Craig’s family and friends.”

Police are investigating the accident, and ask that anyone who witnessed the accident to contact PC Andrew Carter on the non-emergency number 101.