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Only 23 but he made the most of life, says mother of man in Mini triple death crash
Jack Lefley20 Jan 2009
THE mother of one of the three young passengers who were killed in a car accident in Essex paid tribute to her son today.
Carol Pluck's son Terry, 23, was travelling in the back of a silver Mini Cooper on Sunday when it careered off Eastern Avenue in Chadwell Heath, mounted the kerb and ploughed into a tree sideways on.
Mr Pluck, a plumber, was in the back with 21-year-old student Nathalie Mifsud and Ashley Plumber, 20. All three died.
Today Mrs Pluck said: "What happened was a terrible tragedy and we are all heartbroken. But with all the negatives I want people to know the positives. Terry lived a full life, even if he was only 23 when he died.
"If he lived another 23 years he wouldn't experience anything more because he packed so much in.
"It is awful what's happened, but the one good thing is the life Terry did have. If he was here for even another five minutes there would be nothing we would have to say to each other because we said all of those things while he was still alive.
"He made the most out of everything, he was so out-going and had so much love for his family and friends."
The two men in the front - a 20-year-old driver and a passenger aged 21 - were taken to hospital.
The driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is being held at an east London police station while the passenger is still in hospital in a stable condition.
Friends of Mr Pluck, Miss Mifsud - both of Bow - and Miss Plumber who is from Poplar, have left flowers and cards at the scene of the tragedy where debris from the car is still visible.
One note read: "In Loving Memory Pluck, love you mate. We will always remember you mate - a true legend. From Ian and Adam xxxxx."
Another note read: "Ashley X. So young XX. So sad XXX. Sweet dreams, Keeley, Robbie and family."
Police said the car, which only had four seatbelts, had been seen travelling at speed before the crash on the A12 eastbound shortly before 3pm.
Sergeant Mark Robson of the Chadwell Heath Collision Investigation Unit said: "I would urge anyone who may have seen the car travelling along the A12 to call police and help us piece together the events that led up to these deaths." Phone 020 8597 4874.
Reader views (4)
Deepest condolence to Carol and Terry our thoughts are with you and your family
- Betty And Ray, bow london, 09/03/2009 12:31
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You all will be sadly missed (On behalf of Bishop Challoner lilac shirts)
- Jen Renine, London, 23/01/2009 14:52
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RIP you guys, you will all be missed so much.
xx
- Rachel O'Donoghue, london, 21/01/2009 12:43
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It is aweful to no that im not going to see you again and it has been good knowing you, you were a good friend from sam
- Sam Nagle, lismore, ireland co.waterford, 21/01/2009 10:42
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