Tributes paid to students killed in crash (From Bucks Free Press)

Tributes paid to students killed in crash

10:32am Monday 26th February 2007

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TRIBUTES have flooded in for two former Dr Challoner's pupils who were killed in a car crash last Saturday.

Stephen Jones, 18, of Cedar Grove, Amersham, and his girlfriend, Lindsay Kelly, 19, from Chalfont St Peter, were returning to Loughborough University, where they were students, after watching a Manchester United football match.

They were travelling in a Vauxhall Corsa, along the A6 London Road in Kegworth towards Loughborough, at about 11pm when they crashed into a Ford Mondeo and a Saab driving in the opposite direction.

Staff from a nearby pub rushed to the scene to help a family of five trapped in the Mondeo, and people in the Saab, but were unable to save the teenagers as the Corsa burst into flames.

Mark Fenton, head teacher at Dr Challoner's Grammar School, in Chesham Road, Amersham, joined the school the same day as Stephen in 2001, and knew him well as he taught the teenager politics in the sixth form.

Dr Fenton said: "He was someone who was great fun, had a great love of life, was always extremely personable and willing to share a joke and just a delight to be around.

"People are just incredibly shocked and saddened obviously.

"A lot of his friends are at uni and they have rallied round brilliantly. People have come back from abroad, which just shows the way his friends felt about him.

"It's a terrible irony that somebody that had such a zest for life should be taken at such a young age. It's a tragedy."

Stephen studied politics at Loughborough and was a talented swimmer and keen rugby player. He also worked as a lifeguard at the Chilterns Pool in Amersham.

Stephen was a fine swimmer at Amersham Swimming Club and swam to county standard along with his twin brother Robert.

The Jones family were heavily involved with Amersham Swimming Club and Stephen's mother Judith officiated at the club.

Amanda Tasker, vice-chairman at Amersham Swimming Club, said: "He was gregarious and a very sociable boy. Stephen had a lot of different friends and was popular at the Chiltern Pools.

"Everyone was devastated when they heard the news."

Peg Hulse, head teacher at Dr Challoner's High School, in Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, spoke of her sadness at Lindsay's death.

Mrs Hulse said: "Lindsay was a delightful student and her tragic death touches many people.

"She had a lovely personality and was always kind and caring to others.

"She was very successful in her studies at Dr Challoner's High School and had a very bright future."

Professor Shirley Pearce, Loughborough University's vice chancellor, said: "The university is deeply distressed by this tragic incident.

"Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the families and friends of the two students."

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