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Three friends killed in car smash on gap-year trip
Jack Lefley19 Mar 2009
THREE British gap-year students have been killed in a car crash in South Africa.
Life-long friends Nick Thompson, 19, Oli Mobsby and Ed Lowton, both 18, were returning from a safari trip when they were involved in a head-on collision near Cape Town.
The Dorset teenagers had taken A-levels at the same secondary school and were all due to study at York University in the autumn. Their families described them as "inseparable" and said they were relishing their round-the-world backpacking trip.
In a joint statement they said: "From the phone calls home, text messages, photographs, the postings on Facebook and words from friends they made there, it was clear to the families that the young men were having the time of their lives."
The friends had set off in January having completed their A-levels at Gillingham School in Dorset last year. South Africa was the first leg of their trip and they were also planning to visit Thailand, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and America.
They had been staying in Cape Town for three months before the accident happened 70 miles north of the city on 9 March.
Mr Mobsby from Bourton, lived with his parents Stephen and Tina. and played for rugby for North Dorset Colts.
Talented athlete and rugby player Mr Thompson, from Stalbridge, also played for North Dorset Colts. Mr Lowton lived lin Shaftesbury with his father Guy, a solicitor, mother Jane and two brothers, Tom and Harry.
Their families said in the statement: "We are very grateful for all the support we have had from their friends and the tributes paid to them.
"This includes floral tributes left at North Dorset Rugby Club, the minute's silence before rugby and football games and the memorial drinks and parties to celebrate their lives." Friends and teachers have left dozens of messages on networking site Facebook.
Paying tribute to Mr Thompson, friend Flo Martin said: "I'm really going to miss seeing you around, the rugby club, field parties.
"You have always been such a nice guy and good friend to so many. Rest in peace. lots of love xxxx"
Another friend, Abbi Horsman, said: "You were truly such fantastic guys. I'm really going to miss you.
"There was never a dull moment with you around. You will never be forgotten. Words can't describe how much everyone is going to miss you."
Colette Davidson, a close friend of Mr Mobsby's, said: "I just want to say thank you so much for always being there for me, giving me advice on everything and always making the time to talk to me.
"I've never met anyone quite like you and probably never will. I'll always regret the times in which we didn't speak for the rest of my life but I'll treasure the memories I have forever."
Mr Lowton's former teacher at Gillingham School, Lizzy Boston, said: "Ed - you know how much I enjoyed teaching you ... What an achievement to have lived such a fruitful life at such a young age and to have had such a positive influence and impact on those people you came across."
The bodies will be flown home and funerals will be held in the next few weeks.
