Friends and family of a "hugely popular" young man who was killed in a car crash lined the road where he died to say goodbye on Tuesday.

James Gilmore, 19, of Flitwick Road, Maulden, was only yards from his home when his red Renault Clio mounted a grass verge in Ampthill Road, Maulden, spun, hit a hedge backwards and rolled onto its roof, stopping in a front garden.

The collision took place at 7.50am on Sunday. He suffered severe head injuries and was taken to Bedford Hospital South Wing by ambulance, but died from his injuries on Monday.

Mark Mulvaney, partner of James' mother Su, said: "He was a hugely, hugely popular lad, as shown by just how many people came to pay tribute to him on Tuesday.

"Su is absolutely devastated at the moment, I don't think it has sunk in yet."

More than 60 of Mr Gilmore's friends gathered at the point where the accident happened to lay flowers and cards by the roadside.
Many paid tribute to, "Gilz, the best of friends".

There were so many mourners stopping and standing on the road to pay their respects that police officers were brought in to control traffic.
The former Redborne Upper School pupil worked at Hillside Car Sales in Ampthill, and was also hoping to go to college to do a sports physio course.

Mr Mulvaney, who co-owns F1 Scooters in Dunstable Street, Ampthill, with Mrs Gilmore, added: "He was sport mad. If it was round and a ball, James was good at it.

"He was a huge Newcastle United fan and there will probably be some black and white shirts in tribute at the funeral.

"His 16-year-old brother Freddie idolises him, lots of people thought they were twins and all of James' mates have been looking out for Freddie."

Mrs Gilmore and Mr Mulvaney were on holiday in Cowes on the Isle of Wight at the time of the incident.

James' father Danny lives in Flitwick.

Mr Mulvaney said: "The only positive is James was an organ donor and a fit, healthy 19-year-old who had never been ill in his life.

"We have been told that three people have received his organs who were on the critical donor list, meaning they only had 24 hours to find a donor, and they are alive because of James, and there may well be more.

"His very best friend, Ian Knox, and him were joined at the hip, and were meant to be going to Magaluf next week.

"The family would like to thank his friends for the support they have given, they have been absolutely brilliant."

Mr Gilmore's funeral will be held at Maulden Parish Church at 11am on Thursday, August 21.

Police closed the road for more than four hours on Sunday to allow a full collision investigation to be carried out.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact PC John Loughlin at Bedfordshire Police's collision investigation unit on 01234 842469.