BROADWAY Cricket Club members are mourning the death of their new first team captain, Philip Hatt, who died in a road accident on his way home from the ground last Saturday.

The 19-year-old from Cheltenham Road, Evesham, was driving along the Snowshill Road towards Broadway at about 7.30pm when his Peugeot 205 was involved in a collision with a Renault Clio then crashed into a cottage at Bury End.

The Leeds University student was flung from his car and later pronounced dead at the scene.

Residents dashed out of their homes after the impact to try to help. Alex Stutely, aged 19, said: "I saw from my window the car spinning out of control after the driver had been thrown out."

Janice Longhi said: "I and my boyfriend Alan Barker felt the impact when the car hit our house.

"We dashed out to help the driver - I covered him with a duvet and we stayed with him until the emergency services arrived. We still feel very traumatised about the young man's death."

President of Broadway Cricket Club, barrister, Michael de Navarro said: "Philip's death is a great tragedy - club members are absolutely devastated. He had a great future ahead of him as a law student and was a great cricketer, having captained the Senior XI for Worcester Royal Grammar School.

"He was a terrific young man in every way and will be greatly missed."

Philip's mother, Helen Barlow said her only child had everything to live for. She said: "He was full of life and was making plans for his future with his girlfriend Tammy Knight from Alcester."

The pair met while working at the NFU Insurance Company in Stratford during Philip's gap year.

"I have never known Philip so happy - they were a perfect match and were planning to get a flat together in Leeds where she was also to study," Mrs Barlow added

She said Philip, who was also a member of Kidderminster Golf Club, had spent Saturday preparing the cricket ground for the coming season with his friends before the accident happened.

He was looking forward to getting back to university for his first year exams. Trevor Hatt, Philip's father who lives in Stourport-on-Severn, is also in a state of shock.

His son's funeral service is to take place at the Hatt's family church, St Bartholomew's, in Grimley, near Hallow, Worcester, at 2pm next Tuesday, to be followed by cremation.

Flowers or donations to the Air Ambulance can be made through Tomlins funeral directors, 36 The Leys, Evesham WR11 5AP.

An inquest into Philip's death was opened and adjourned on Monday to a date to be fixed.