DEVASTATED parents have paid tribute to their beloved son who was killed in a tragic road accident in London after a day out with friends to watch rugby at Twickenham.

DEVASTATED parents have paid tribute to their beloved son who was killed in a tragic road accident in London after a day out with friends to watch rugby at Twickenham.

Gareth Weiland, 26, from Boxford, near Sudbury, was hit by a dustcart when he stepped out of a taxi in Bow, east London, in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.

The businessman suffered devastating head injuries in the crash and died at the Royal London Hospital.

His mother and father, Marianne and John Weiland, of the Causeway, Boxford, said their beloved son's sudden death had left them bereft but said they were thankful for his life and personality.

Mrs Weiland said it was difficult to put her feelings into words but she thanked everyone in the tight-knit community of Boxford, where her son grew up and was well known, for their words of sympathy. “Everyone has said such nice things about Gareth. We knew that their words are true but it is wonderful to hear,” she said.

Her husband said it had been a terrible loss but added he would remember his son's sporting, academic and business achievements.

His Helen Barkworth-Knight said: “I have never known someone with so many friends. He was such a generous, funny and gentle person who lived a full life - at weekends you felt lucky to have a few hours with him.”