“A GENTLE giant with a passion for his pets” – this was how a distraught family has described a Worcester man who died in a crash near Callow End.

Worcester doorman Steve Hartill, aged 30, died after a collision on the B4424 Upton Road, in Clevelode, at about 5pm on Thursday, August 29.

Mr Hartill was driving a blue BMW and was involved in a collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter van.

The former Dines Green Primary School and Christopher Whitehead High School pupil was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but died later that evening. Born in Wordsley, near Stourbridge, Mr Hartill, of Low Fold Close, Worcester, moved to the city aged four.

He studied animal care at Pershore College and used to keep exotic pets including snakes, bearded dragons and scorpions, and doted on his dog, Boe, who is now being looked after by a friend.

Sadly, his father died eight years ago, followed by his mother three years ago. He leaves behind his sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and David Guy, and their four-year-old son, his nephew.

His sister said: “He was a big lad, over 6ft tall, but he was the softest and kindest man imaginable, a real gentle giant.”

He worked as a factory operative for Permadoor at Upton-on-Severn and in the past had also trained as an electrician and worked in the printing business. People may also recognise him for his work as a doorman at the Marr’s Bar, Worcester.

Mrs Guy said: “He had a small, close group of friends, but was also in touch with a lot of people through his love of computer games.

“We have been very touched by the number of tributes that have been posted on his Facebook page.”