Tributes have been paid to an “inspirational” teenage footballer killed in a car crash that left two of his friends fighting for their lives.
Daniel Matthews, 19, died in hospital on Monday night some 24 hours after the car careered off a residential road and crashed into a tree in a front garden in Bromley.
Firefighters had to cut the roof off the black Vauxhall Corsa to free two other passengers — a 17-year-old girl and a man aged 20. The 22-year-old driver was not seriously hurt in the smash less than a mile from Daniel’s home.
Witnesses said they saw one young man “utterly inconsolable” as he “crouched, rocking in the corner, begging for his friends’ lives.”
Teammates at Russellers FC, where Daniel had played for five seasons, leading them to victory in the South East London and Kent youth league final last year, paid tribute to a passionate player and “great role model”.
Dave Fone, president of Russellers FC, said Millwall fan Daniel had a “never give up” attitude that impressed coaches. He scored a hat-trick in his debut match, winning him a regular slot on the team sheet.
He said: “Dan became the voice of the team. He was a great team player.
“He was always at training unless the Lions were at home. I will miss his messages and calls about training ... he was like my right-hand man.
“The photo of the Cup Final always brings a smile to my face. When he held the cup aloft it was like he was at Wembley.
“He was passionate about football, he never gave up, was a great role model and a credit to his family.”
Graham Harknett, secretary of Russellers FC, added: “It’s terrible to be honest. It really has touched everybody. He was not even 20 years old and had his whole life ahead of him.”
Daniel’s devastated friends and family last night expressed their grief in tributes on social media.
His grandmother Merle Plumb wrote: “God bless our lovely boy Daniel, now with his grandad Alan in heaven.”
A Russellers teammate wrote: “The bubbliest, friendliest lad I have ever met who never seemed to fail at putting a smile on my face. Today has been the toughest day in my life emotionally.”
Friend Liam White wrote on Twitter: “He was such a nice guy and will be missed. One of the nicest people around is now gone.”
Witnesses told how neighbours raced from their homes to help following the accident at 6.15pm on Sunday.
One said: “My dad helped our doctor neighbour as he worked on him, and hacked his seat belt off so fire crews could pull him free. The car was literally wrapped around a tree.”
A Met spokesman said the driver had been discharged from hospital. The girl, 17, remains in hospital in a stable condition and the 20-year-old man was today in a critical but stable condition. There have been no arrests.
Police appealed for witnesses to contact them on 0208 285 1574.
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