TRIBUTES have been paid to two men who lost their lives in a four-car crash in the Cotswolds.

Oliver Williams, 23, from Lechlade, was driving his Ford Fiesta along the A361 at Upper Inglesham on Friday night at about 9.30pm when he was involved in a minor collision with a silver Honda s2000.

John Barnes, 76, from Fairford, was driving his silver Ford Fusion along the road at the same time and collided head-on with Oliver's car, killing both men.

A fourth car, a Citroen AX, was also involved but sustained only minor damage, as did the Honda.
Police are still investigating exactly how the tragedy occurred.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Mr Williams and Mr Barnes at this very sad time.”

Following the crash, floral tributes were left at the scene and friends of Oliver took to social media to pay tribute.

Adam Pitts said: “I am devastated one of my closest friends has been taken away.

"He was always there for me whenever I needed him, he always knew how to make people laugh and smile, Ollie you will always be remembered never forgotten. RIP brother.”

Dean Woolgar said: “We had so many good memories together, ones I will never forget.”

In July the Standard reported that the Cotswolds was the most dangerous part of the county to drive in.

In 2014, there were 253 casualties in the Cotswolds caused by road accidents compared to 159 in Cheltenham and 200 in Gloucester.

The A361 runs from Lechlade to Highworth and is a main route for people travelling to Swindon.

Manuel Gomez, who owns the Inglesham Forge restaurant around 500 metres south of the accident, said: “We could hear the ambulances go up and down but we didn’t know what was going on.

“I’ve been here about 25 years and in that time there have been six or seven really serious accidents.

“I think the council should do something like reduce the speed limit or put lines on the road so people can’t overtake.”

A Cirencester advanced driving tutor, who asked not to be named, said he did not know the details of this particular accident but urged drivers to be careful.

He told the Standard that there were no truly unsafe roads, only unsafe drivers, adding that police statistics showed most accidents were caused by drivers not looking properly and failing to take in their surroundings.

“Sometimes the eyes look but the brain doesn’t,” he said.

“It’s a speed limit not a target,” he said. “People do not drive their cars for the conditions they have their speed, say 45mph, and they stick to it in a 30 or a 60 zone.

“The problem with reducing the speed limit is that the kind of people who drive fast and have accidents will ignore it.”

If you would like to pay tribute to either of the men please contact Jack Pitts on jpi@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk or 01285 627 321.

Debbie ReeveCrook, marketing and business development manager, said: “It is with great sadness to hear about the untimely death of Oliver Williams who was a former full time Plumbing student at Swindon College.

"Oliver is remembered by the staff who taught him and we are proud that he developed his skills at the college.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”