THE devastated parents of Chris Puddifoot, who died in a car crash just weeks after his sister drowned on round-the-world-tour, have described him as 'a model son, brother and friend.'

Michael and Mai Puddifoot, of Northwood, said they feel 'numb' after losing two children in less than two months.

Chris, 22, was killed instantly when he was a passenger in a car hit by an oncoming vehicle in Hampermill Lane, Watford, on Tuesday evening.

His sister, Karen, died on September 24, when the boat she and Tim Roney, 21, were travelling on sank in the South China Sea, off the coast of Vietnam.

Chris accompanied the pair as they journeyed through Europe and Scandinavia as part of a round-the-world charity bike ride to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

He was a pupil at Eastbury Farm JMI School, in Bishops Avenue, Northwood, before completing three A Levels at Rickmansworth School, in Scots Hill, Rickmansworth.

Mr and Mrs Puddifoot said: "No one should ever have to outlive a child but losing two of our children in less than two months has left us numb and at a loss for words.

"Chris was a model son, brother and friend. He was warm and caring and was loved by all who met him.

"He had a particular connection and affection with elderly people and loved working as assistant manager at St Luke's Hospice shop in Pinner, where he was really well thought of and held in high regard by people.

"He was very athletic and excelled at sports as a youngster but he never dedicated enough time to any one sport, as he enjoyed all of them.

"Chris was a tower of strength to us after we lost Karen and, of course, Tim, who was such a close family friend.

"All of their friends were, and continue to be so supportive after Karen died and now he are having to cope with losing Chris too. He was so strong for us. Words cannot describe the shock of our loss of such a beautiful son and how we will cope without them both.

Chris' girlfriend, Abigail Bains, has also paid tribute to 'her favourite person'. She said: "He had lots of friends, whom he adored, and who supported him after the deaths of Karen and Tim.

"He was my best friend and I loved him the most – he was my favourite person. He meant everything to me."

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