Wiltshire | Archive | 2000 | June | 7
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Wednesday 7th Jun 2000.
family and friends have paid tribute to 21-year-old Andy Musselwhite after he was killed in a crash.
Mr Musselwhite died from head injuries after he was thrown through the front windscreen of his green Ford Orion on Friday.
The former Devizes School pupil, who is said to have not been wearing a seatbelt, had been taking his girlfriend Sam Pattison, 16, and their friend Sarah Johnson out at the time of the accident.
It happened on the A361 near the Lamb on the Strand pub between Semington and Seend.
Neither of the girls, who are believed to have been wearing seatbelts, suffered serious injuries.
The car is understood to have left the road, hitting two 30ft trees and a private garage before stopping. Floral tributes have been placed at the scene of the accident.
All three were taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath.
Mr Musselwhite's parents John and Anne are comforting his brother Antony, 22, and sister Rachel, seven, at their home in Sleight Lane, Devizes.
Sam's mother Kim Pattison said: Andy was a wonderful person. He was kind and generous. We could not have wished for a better boyfriend for our daughter.
He was the sort of boy every parent dreams her daughter will bring home. He cannot be replaced. We will always remember him.
Mr Musselwhite, who worked at agricultural machinery firm TH White in Nursteed Road, Devizes, as a welder fitter, had been going out with Sam for nearly a year after meeting her at Devizes Youth Centre.
Mrs Pattison, 43, of Hodge Close, Bumpers Farm, said Sam, who is studying for her GCSEs, was devastated. She said: Sam will never forget him. Understandably she is finding it so hard to come to terms with what happened.
They had so many plans for the future. Andy had just got his own flat in the centre of Devizes, and they were decorating it together.
Mr Musselwhite, who loved his car, made many friends through his interest in motoring. The day after the accident about 17 cars drove out in tribute to him.
Mrs Pattision said: Sam and Andy were so much in love. Andy used to send Sam text messages every morning when she woke up and every evening before she went to sleep.
The funeral will take place at 2pm on Saturday at St Andrew's Church, Devizes, followed by a burial at Devizes Cemetery.
The family would like all donations to be sent to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which helped save the life of Andy's older brother, Antony, seven years ago when he was involved in a bike accident.
Their father, John Musselwhite, said: Andrew was a loving son who touched on so many people's lives.
Passenger Sarah Johnson, 16, who suffered cuts and bruises, was recovering at home in Wellington Drive, Devizes. Her mother Gloria, 45, said: It was a tragic accident. We can all learn a lesson from this.
Carol Stone, from TH White, said: Andy was with us for nine months. He was a very popular, hard working member of staff. We are still coming to terms with what happened. He will be greatly missed.
The inquest into Mr Musselwhite's death was opened and adjourned in Bath on Tuesday.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008