Tributes paid to teenager Luke Fletcher who died in Southwick car crash

Luke Fletcher, 19, of Paulsgrove, died after a Nissan Almera crashed in Southwick late on Saturday night.

Now his friend Georgia Borrowdale, 18, has told of her devastation at losing the former Fareham College performing arts student.

Speaking to The News she said: ‘He was so selfless, he would always put other people’s problems before his own.

‘I’ve always admired him, I couldn’t say a bad word about him.

‘He had a small close circle of friends but he was friends with anyone he met.’

Luke’s mother Sarah had called Georgia to tell her of the tragic news.

‘Half of me thought it was a joke when his mum called me. I was going to go there and have a go at him because it scared me so much,’ Georgia added.

‘He never thought of himself ever, he sorted out my problems and he would sort out anybody’s.’

Luke, who was between jobs after a spell looking after elderly people, had previously performed in Sweeney Todd and helped put together a stage version of the TV show of The Big Bang Theory at college.

‘He liked singing, dancing and acting,’ Georgia said. ‘We met at college, we were both doing performing arts, we were in the same group one day.

‘We went in the field and I started playing a song and he started singing along as I did.’

Luke was in the car travelling towards Southwick on the B2177 on Saturday when he died after it crashed near the junction of Pitymoor Lane at 11.17pm.

News of his death has spread across the world after Georgia tweeted American rock band Black Veil Brides’ lead singer’s dad, who then posted online.

Both Georgia and Luke are members of the band’s fan group – called BVB Army – and others have paid tribute.

Georgia, now living in Salisbury, added: ‘It was just incredible to read everyone’s response to the post.

‘The band’s fanbase is so close together so when someone dies in the fanbase, everyone is affected. That’s incredible.’

Luke leaves behind 22-year-old sister Robyn, his 24-year-old brother Adam and his mother Sarah.

Hundreds of people have posted on Facebook and Twitter using #RIPLukeFletcher

n Two men, 24 and 21, both from Portsmouth, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash and bailed yesterday.

A second passenger, an 18-year-old from Emsworth, is in hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Eastleigh on 101, quoting Operation Chapman.