Tributes to recruit killed in crash

Stuart Walker, aged 26, was knocked down by a car as he crossed the A12 in Romford, London.

His family today paid tribute to a "fun-loving, popular young man."

Relatives are also collecting donations in honour of his ambitions to become an engineer in the army, which he was set to do after Christmas.

Mr Walker's funeral will be held tomorrow at West Bromwich Crematorium.

His aunt Helen Payton said: "He loved life, and wanted to serve his country so much. He had so much to live for."

Mr Walker, a floor-fitter with West Bromwich-based firm Stanford Flooring, was returning to where he was staying when he was knocked down by a Nissan Micra as he crossed the road. He was taken to Queen's Hospital, but Miss Payton said he was brain dead before he arrived.

"It really was just a tragic accident – there was nothing the driver could have done to prevent it," she added.

She said Mr Walker was very close to his extended family after his mother died 13 years ago. He and his two sisters and brother had been raised by their grandmother Linda Payton, aged 68, with whom he lived with at her home in Chad Road, Coseley, at the weekends.

Miss Payton, aged 38, of Broad Street, Coseley, dded: "He was more than a nephew to me, he was like a son. He was a beautiful person. His death is such a waste." She said they were expecting a big turn-out to his funeral as he was very popular.

"He lived for his friends," she added. "He loved going out and clubbing and was a real ladies' man. He touched the heart of everyone he met."

Donations at Mr Walker's funeral will be split between Help for Heroes and Save Our Soldiers.

The funeral at the Newton Road at 12noon will be followed by a gathering for friends and family at the Parkes Hall Social Club in Woodsetton.

Mr Walker's organs, including heart, liver and kidneys, were donated for transplant.

Miss Payton said: "He wanted to help people. It's a comfort to know that despite our loss, he's still doing something good for people."