Tributes to aspiring footballer killed in crash (From News Shopper)

Tributes to aspiring footballer killed in crash

9:34am Wednesday 25th June 2008

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A COMMUNITY has been left devastated by the loss of a popular 17-year-old who died after his car hit a tree.

Hundreds of people have been paying their respects to keen footballer George Mosedale at the site where the crash happened.

Emergency services were called to West Common Road, Keston, at around 11.30pm on June 17 after getting reports a blue VW Polo was on fire.

An ambulance took the former Hayes School pupil to a London hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

So many friends and family then visited the scene police had to close the road the day after the crash from 7.50pm until 2am.

At one point officers estimated there were 200 people gathered to remember the teenager.

News Shopper's website has been flooded with tributes to him.

A message from George's family, who live in Palace Road, Bromley, read: "We feel privileged that George touched so many people's lives.

"It is so lovely to know that George had so many kind, sincere teenage friends who are such wonderful, kind, sensitive people who thought the world of our George."

George was a pupil at Hayes School, in West Common Road, which he had attended for five years.

Headteacher Kieran Osborne said: "He was one of those lads who stood out in his year, that everyone knew. He was an outstanding footballer.

"He played for the sixth form team even in Year 11.

"He had a terrific personality, liked by staff and students. Everyone knew George.

"He was a cheeky and amusing lad who everyone liked."

George left the school in July last year.

Mr Osborne said he was hoping to go to college but also aimed to pursue his footballing ambitions.

He played for a side in Welling and wanted to turn semi-professional in the future.

Mr Osborne said: "He had so much going on and so much ahead of him. Even though he has been gone a year it has had such an impact. It shows how much he was regarded.

"His death has been a terrible shock to everyone.

"Around the school in sixth form, where his friends are, it's hard. There is a lot of counselling and support.

"I was talking to his mother, who was saying the friends had been fantastic in giving support and just being around."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash.

Sergeant Simon Seeley from the Met's south east traffic garage, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are appealing to witnesses of the incident or those who saw the VW Polo in the Keston area."

Anyone with information can call 020 8285 1574 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

• To add your own tributes to George, post your comments below.

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