A FAMILY and two rugby clubs are in mourning following the tragic death of “a wonderful young man” in a car crash.

Trevor Coates, 23, died after the car he was travelling in crashed into a tree.

Police say Mr Coates, of Brompton Regis, suffered fatal injuries in the incident on the B3227 near Blackerton Cross, East Anstey, at the weekend.

He was a popular member of Wiveliscombe Rugby Club and had previously played for Minehead Barbarians.

Graham Symes, of the West Somerset club, posted on Facebook: “A wonderful young man, our condolences and our thoughts to Trevor’s family, friends and all at Wiveliscombe RFC from Minehead Barbarians RFC.

“RIP Trevor sadly missed but never forgotten.”

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said the collision that caused Mr Coates’s death happened at around 5.20pm on Saturday.

They added: “The car (a Volkswagen Bora) appears to have lost control on a bend, left the road and collided with a tree, sadly causing fatal injuries to one of the occupants of the vehicle, a 23-years-old male from the Minehead area.

“Specialist roads policing officers, as well as local officers attended the collision scene, along with our colleagues from the ambulance and fire service, whereby a forensic collision investigation took place.

“Any witnesses to the collision, whom have not already spoken to the police, are asked to contact us on 101 quoting log number 633 of 05/12/2020, especially if they have any dashcam footage.

“We would thank members of the public for their patience whilst we investigated the scene, and pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends.”

In another tragic incident, a Somerset man in his 70s died following a collision between a car and a van on the A36 at Pepperbox Hill, near Salisbury shortly after midday on Saturday.

The driver of the van sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Salisbury District Hospital. A passenger in the van was also taken to hospital with less serious injuries.

The A36 was closed in both directions at the location for six hours while collision investigators carried out their enquiries.

The vehicles involved were a blue Jaguar XF estate and a Ford Transit van. Wiltshire Police are asking anyone who might have witnessed the collision to contact them on 101 and quote reference number 54200120835.