Last goodbyes for Tom (From Stourbridge News)

Last goodbyes for Tom

3:00pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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HUNDREDS of people are set to turn out for the funeral of tragic Tom Pople from Clent on Friday August 29.

Heartbroken friends and family have littered the crash scene and surrounding area with red ribbons and floral tributes in memory of the 22-year-old “legend” who was knocked down just moments after stepping out of a taxi in Belbroughton Road in Clent last week.

And tomorrow (Friday August 29) at 10.30am village streets will be awash with colour as the funeral procession makes its way from The Vine pub to St Leonard’s Church, where the service will be held ahead of a wake back at The Vine - where Tom used to work.

His 18-year-old sister Jess, who described Tom as her “best friend”, said: “No-one can wear black, it’s colours only and fancy dress is allowed as this is what Tom would want - with his playful, bubbly personality.

“Everyone’s invited, but with that many people there - it is not guaranteed they will get into the church.”

Tom, a former Haybridge student who worked at Phones 4 U in Bromsgrove, suffered horrific injuries after being hit by a green Citroen AX driven by a 20-year-old woman - believed to be a friend of Tom’s group of pals from Clent - and he died at the scene.

North Worcestershire’s Road Policing Unit has launched an investigation into the crash, which happened at 12.05am on Tuesday August 19.

But friends and family are now demanding answers as to how such a devastating incident could have happened on a 30mph road.

Tom’s death is the second tragedy to hit the family, Jess also lost her father 13 years ago and said her brother had been like a “father figure” to her ever since.

She also paid tribute to her mum Gillian’s bravery, adding: “She’s the world’s strongest mum for coping with two deaths so close to her. Me and Rich (my boyfriend) will love and support her so much, we will make her, Tom and my dad Malcolm so proud.”

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