Tributes paid to popular Plymouth footballer James Hedges who died in A30 crash

EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid for a keen footballer who died after a single-vehicle collision on the A30.

James Hedges, aged 23, from Southway, died yesterday morning following the crash on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Hedges had suffered multiple injuries in the accident which happened near Tedburn St Mary at around 5.30pm.

It is understood the car clipped a stone drain in the central reservation which caused the vehicle to loose control.

The vehicle then skidded off the near side of the carriageway into trees before it came to rest down a steep embankment.

He was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time.

Mr Hedges was taken to Derriford Hospital with serious head injuries following the crash but died at around 11am yesterday.

A police spokesman said yesterday: "The driver who was seriously injured in the collision sadly died of his injuries at Derriford Hospital at approximately 11am today.

"He has been formally identified by his family and has been named as James William Hedges, aged 23. He was from the Southway area.

"A specially trained police family liaison officer has been appointed to the family at this difficult time."

Mourners took to The Herald's website, thisisplymouth.co.uk, to pay their respects.

Bramble2373 said: "RIP cousin love you loads, you will always be in my heart."

Flounder123 said:"Always a cheeky grin, great days and laughs on the coach to see the reds."

And Anonny1 added: "So very sad, RIP to a beautiful young man who touched the lives of so many people never without a smile on his face. Thoughts to his fiancée, family and friends."

Family and friends also took to social networking sites to pay tribute to him.

The page 'Remember James Hedges' was set up on Facebook which encouraged friends to post pictures so they could be given to relatives.

On Twitter Jemma Rose tweeted: "RIP James Hedges... Too young to be taken. Such an amazing and thoughtful lad!"

And Sammie Willson said: "Rip James Hedges, you will never be forgotten!"

Mr Hedges, believed to have recently got engaged, went to Estover Community College before he became a heating engineer.

The 23-year-old was a keen footballer and played for Saltash United and Elburton Villa.