Popular teenager killed in car crash (From Barry And District News)

Popular teenager killed in car crash

A TEENAGER thrown from a car and killed in a horrific smash has been named as schoolboy Kyle John Smith, from Wenvoe.

Tributes to the popular 16-year old, whose father John owns a business in Barry, have been pouring in.

Kyle died after the black Renault Clio he was travelling in hit the central reservation on the southbound section of the A4232 Ely link road, between junction 33 of the M4 and Culverhouse Cross at 9.15pm on Sunday (February 20).

The St Cyres sixth-former was thrown from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.

The 19-year old driver and a 15-year old passenger, both also from Wenvoe, were treated for their injuries at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later released.

Kyle's family released a statement, which said: "Kyle was so tragically and totally unnecessarily taken from us.

"Knowing Kyle has made our life so rich. He was such a gentle, soft person who would always try to keep the peace.

"Quite often he would do things when asked that maybe he did not want to do.

"Like any child, Kyle was much-loved but will be so badly missed. No words can say what hurt the whole family is feeling.

"Kyle leaves behind a mum, dad, brother and sister who are deeply heartbroken and no amount of words can change the way we feel.

"Kyle liked the fine things in life. He loved his sport - football, golf and shooting - and enjoyed these times with both family and friends.

"He and his dad enjoyed a fantastic and unique relationship that some parents may never achieve in their entire lifetime, and for this we are grateful.

"Kyle had achieved so many things in such a short lifetime, including GCSE results that exceeded our greatest expectations and he had decided to stay on to study for his A-levels."

Head teacher of St Cyres, Brian Lightman, paid tribute to a model student who was a "well-liked and respected member of the sixth form".

He added: "Kyle was a quiet, unassuming and courteous young man. He was doing well at his studies and would have completed his A-level courses in 2006, and he was an obvious candidate for higher education.

"Outside school, his hobby was trap shooting and last year he represented Wales in this event. This was an achievement about which he was characteristically modest, but the school was immensely proud of him.