Student's tragic death

Tributes were paid this week to an Uckfield teenager killed in a car crash on Sunday night.

Tributes were paid this week to an Uckfield teenager killed in a car crash on Sunday night.

Thirteen-year-old Laurie Suckling was a keen sportsman who loved his involvement in rugby, cricket, judo and sailing.

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He died following a crash at 8.18pm on Sunday when a Volkswagen Golf driven by his father, Steve, was involved in a head-on collision on the A272 at Piltdown with a Subaru Impreza carrying another father and his 11-year-old son. They have not been named by police.

Shortly after the accident two more vehicles, a Vauxhall Nova and a Vauxhall Omega collided with the wreckage.

Laurie died of his injuries. His father and the other victims, who were described by police as being seriously hurt, were taken to the Princess Royal Hospital at Haywards Heath.

Staff and students at the Uckfield Community College, where Laurie was a Year 9 pupil, described him as a popular and friendly student.

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Recently Laurie had qualified for the Southern Area Judo Squad having won gold and silver medals in his class along the way.

He was also proud of his Royal Yachting Association certificate and of representing the Uckfield Community College at rugby and cricket.

College press officer Mr Geoff Evans said Laurie participated fully in college life involving himself in a variety of activities. He was keen on working with computers, and often gave up his spare time to assist younger students in need of extra help.

Hardworking

'He was a conscientious and hardworking student who always gave of his best,' said Mr Evans. 'Laurie lived life to the full and enjoyed life. He will be missed for his bubbly personality and terrific sense of humour.'

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Laurie lived with his parents, Sarah and Steve, and younger sister Alice at The Nightingales, Uckfield. He grew up in the town attending Holy Cross Primary School and local Cubs and Scouts.

Last year he represented Uckfield at the Twinning Association International Youth Camp in Latvia, and Dr Martyn Stenning, who with his wife Vivien led the trip, said they were devastated to hear of Laurie's death.

'We took seven youngsters from Uckfield to Latvia and Laurie was one of them. He was a lovely chap and we obviously got to know him quite well spending that ten days camping with him and other youngsters from all over Europe,' said Dr Stenning.

'We were surrogate parents for that time with him. He was such a good sport, willing to take part in everything. He never complained, he was a pleasure to be with. We had a really good time and he had a really good time.'

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The head teacher at Holy Cross Primary School, Mr Andrew Raven, said: 'Staff at Holy Cross remember Laurie as a confident, friendly and well-loved boy. He was great at sports and loved his cricket and judo. He was always helpful, always had a smile and always did his best in work and play. With his family Laurie was a loyal supporter of Holy Cross School and the church.'

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