'He was a perfect son'

Jamie Carlton, 19, was killed when his blue Rover MG left the road and ended up on its roof in a ploughed field near Selby.

A soldier in the Royal Logistic Corps, Jamie was all set for a posting to Northern Ireland when the accident happened at 8.15pm last Wednesday.

He was on his way to see his girlfriend when his car left the road on the A1041, just outside Selby.

He was thrown through the windscreen and died at the scene.

His mother Mandy, 40, and stepfather Carl Marran, 34, said today they were still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Speaking at their home, in Lowfield Road, Barlby, near Selby, Mr Marran said: "We're all devastated. We just can't take it in.

"He was a big softie who lived for his family. His brother and his sisters are in pieces - it's heartbreaking."

Jamie had five sisters - Deborah, 22, Jennifer, 20, Hannah, 17, Chloe, 12, and Becky, 11 - and a nine-year-old brother Daniel.

Only an hour before the accident, he had been helping out at Barlby Leisure Centre, where his mother is a duty manager.

He had watched his brother Daniel's team win an under-tens five-a-side football tournament at the centre and had helped prepare chip butties for the youngsters.

Mrs Marran said: "I know all mothers say it, but he was the perfect son, a blessing to me.

"He was my first boy and I was desperate to have him. He meant everything to me - it's as if a part of me has been taken away.

"He rang me every night from his barracks, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire."

The 6ft 4in tall gentle giant, who had been training to represent his regiment at boxing, was on standby to go to Iraq, and was disappointed when he did not get called up.

Mr Marran, who coaches Thorpe United Ladies' football team, added: "We've laid some flowers at the accident scene, but it all seems so unreal.

"We're proud of Jamie and he's still here in our hearts and minds."

Army bosses are helping the family with plans for a military funeral, with a guard of honour.

Updated: 09:39 Monday, January 03, 2005