THE heartbroken parents of a young woman who drowned on a world trip six weeks ago have suffered another tragedy, after their only son was killed in a horrific car crash.

Chris Puddifoot, 22, of Northwood, was the front-seat passenger of a BMW which collided head-on with a Vauxhall Astra in Hampermill Lane, Watford at about 5.20pm yesterday (November 10).

Chris was the brother of Karen Puddifoot, 27, who died alongside Tim Roney, 21, when the tourist boat they were travelling on capsized in the South China Sea, off the coast of Vietnam at the end of September.

The emergency services rushed to the incident but Chris was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the BMW, a man in his 20s, was taken to Watford General hospital for treatment, while the driver of the Astra, a man in his 60s, was released from hospital following treatment for his injuries.

The road was closed for a number of hours while police probed the scene for clues to establish how the tragic smash happened.

Karen and Chris had both been former students of Eastbury Farm School, in Bishops Avenue, Northwood. Devastated parents, Mei and Michael, are being consoled by family members along with their only surviving child, Catherine.

Inspector Andy Piper from Hertfordshire's Strategic Roads Policing Unit, said: "Our thoughts are with Chris’s family; understandably they are devastated. Specially trained family liaison officers are with them at this time.

"Investigations continue and I would like to appeal to anyone who saw what happened or saw either vehicle prior to the collision to contact the investigating team."

Anyone with information should contact PC Bob Hauxwell in the road death investigation unit at HQ on 0845 33 00 222.