Tributes to ‘kind and loving’ teenager who died in road traffic collision

Archibald Felix Lister Wellbelove, known as Archie, died after an incident in Warwickshire on Friday (December 7).

Archie, from Biggleswade, was a former Bedford School student and a first year undergraduate at the University of Warwick.

The 18-year-old, who represented both his school and the county at rugby, was walking along the A452 Kenilworth Road in Leamington Spa near Blackdow at around 3.50am when the collision occurred. The car involved was a taxi cab. It was driving away from Leamington Spa between the Northumberland Road junction and Old Milverton Lane island, near Woodlands Grange, at the time of the collision.

Archie was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

His family said: “Our beautiful, intelligent and very witty son Archie, has tragically been taken from us.

“He was only just 18 and was studying English and French at the University of Warwick. He was a talented drummer and represented Bedfordshire and Bedford School on the rugby field.

“He was above all a very kind and loving soul who brought happiness to all around him. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure to know and love him, especially his Mummy and Daddy and brother and sister Henry and Mathilda.”

The University of Warwick published a statement on its website, which said: “His academic departments remember him as a charming young man, just beginning to find his way as a student.

“Students and staff alike had already had occasion to speak fondly of his jovial energy and kindly, considerate manner.

“He was full of enthusiasm for his studies; a young man full of promise who will be sadly missed by all.”

VIce-chancellor professor Nigel Thrift said: “This sudden death brings great sadness to all of us in the university community. Archie’s family and friends are very much in our thoughts at this sad time.”

An investigation into the collision is currently being carried out by Warwickshire Police. The force is appealing for witnesses who saw the taxi or a male pedestrian in the area prior to the collision as well as witnesses to the collision itself to contact the Warwickshire Police Major Investigation Unit Roads on 01926 415415.