Mother pays tribute to son killed in car crash
Katy Patrick, whose 18-year-old son Jamie Baker, died on Saturday along with 17-year-old Tom (TJ) Capewell and nine-year-old Noah Amato, said he had been working as an assistant chef in the Millbrook in South Pool, but was planning to become a social worker.
She said “Jamie always had a smile on his face, put everyone’s needs before his own, a kind, gentle young man with a heart of gold.
“He was starting college in September to study to become a social worker, a job that he would have been amazing at.
“He never thought of his own problems, he was a credit to myself and my family.
“I hope his daddy was waiting for him at the gates of heaven.”
She said her heart went out to the families of Noah and TJ, adding: “I am sure they will all be together looking down on us.”
The three died after their car veered across a busy road and ploughed into a stone wall.
They had been to the Giffstock music festival in Aveton Gifford, near Kingsbridge, before the accident, which happened at 11.16pm on Saturday.
They were travelling in a black three-door Vauxhall Corsa on a hill leading down the A379 to Aveton Gifford when it left the road and careered across the two on-coming traffic lanes and into a wall on the opposite side.
The news has left residents in the communities where they lived shocked and devastated.
A police investigation has been launched into the fatal crash.
Tyre marks chalked up in yellow by police investigators were visible at the scene.
Dozens of bouquets were left as tributes by the side of the road near where the collision happened.
The fatal crash happened at 11.16pm on Saturday. A police spokesman said the two teenagers and the young boy had died at the scene.
Tom Capewell is understood to be the son of the landlords of the Fisherman’s Rest freehouse in Aveton Gifford.
A family liaison officer was with his parents at the pub.
He said: “They have suffered from the most traumatic event. They are understandably traumatised by the loss of their son. They need time to grieve.”
Three fire appliances from Modbury, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge as well as ambulances from the surrounding towns attended the crash.
Senior investigating officer Sgt Stephen Walker said: “We are still investigating the collision.
“We’re keeping an open mind and are looking at whether alcohol or speed were involved as well as whether the car suffered a mechanical failure.”
Aveton Gifford villagers said the news had shocked the local community.
Robert Ford, the organiser of the Giffstock music festival, said: “The event was going well.
Towards the end we heard rumours that an accident had happened. But it was only on Sunday morning that we found out about it.
We don’t really know what happened but the news has been quite a shock. Everyone in the village is devastated.”
Margaret Brett, one of the residents added: “No-one should die that young. They had their whole life ahead of them. It’s such a tragedy.”
Fellow resident Peter Burns added: “It’s dreadful. There’s a lot of conjecture about what happened.
“We know the lads attended the festival. It was a very happy event. Why they went to Kingsbridge and came back we don’t know.
“We all feel for the parents and the other people. Everyone in the village is quite distressed.”
Another neighbour added: “Tom was a big strapping boy. Very lovely who very much enjoyed his sports. He was such a nice lad. This is a sad end to a lovely and joyous event.”
Bouquets left by the side of the road where the crash happened paid tributes to the three youngsters.
One of the messages of condolences said: “We will miss you. Rest in peace. The Ezra’s Luisa and Becky.”
Another said: “We will always remember you. Rob.”
Tributes to the three boys have been posted on The Herald’s website. One read: “Our huge compassion goes out to the families. known Jamie for years lovely lad, ready smile. very sadly missed.” dusty and family, plymouth.
“I’ve known Jamie for years, he was one of my best friends at school, i am so proud to have known such a lovely person, i will miss you Jamie.. im so sorry for his family. i love you Jamie x Jade Bellchambers, Aveton Gifford.
Nick, of Aveton Gifford, wrote: “An absolute tragedy after what had been a brilliant day at our village music festival.
“We have a wonderfully close knit community here in AG, and the deaths of these three kids will be deeply felt by all of us.
“They brought happiness to those who knew them and were growing up into fine young men. RIP lads. We'll all miss you.”
The family of one of the two other youngsters is understood to live in East Prawle, South Hams.
News of the crash was announced to customers in the village’s pub the Pig’s Nose on Saturday night.
The pub was then closed and a sign was put up outside. It read: “Sad loss. Jamie, Noah, Tom. Three special boys.”
One of the patrons enjoying a drink in the pub at the time said: “We were left stunned after the pub's DJ stopped the music to make the announcement the crash had happened and the pub would have to close immediately.”
“The DJ said there had been a serious accident. People filed out onto the village green, as the impact of the announcement sunk in.”
One of those who died is understood to have worked as a chef at the pub, famous for its New Year’s Eve parties.
Sgt Walker added: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the dark Vauxhall Corsa between Aveton Gifford and Bantham Cross Roundabout just after 11pm on Saturday night to contact us on 08452 777 444, quoting log number 1372 040709.”
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