TRIBUTES have been paid to a young father who died following a crash on the M5 near Cheltenham.
Ant Norman from Don Road in Ronkswood passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning (November 17) after his Vauxhall Vectra left the road and ended up in a ditch.
The 23-year-old was on the way to work in Gloucester when the crash happened and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The former Nunnery Wood High School pupil leaves behind a girlfriend Michaela Fedacova and 18-month-old son Ben from a previous relationship.
Friends of Mr Norman are arranging an event in his memory from 9pm on Friday (November 22) at the Pig and Drum pub in Lowesmoor.
As well as the chance to raise a glass to the much loved figure, a collection will also be held in his memory for a wreath or money for Ben.
Friend Mathew Skilbeck, who knew Mr Norman since their days at Nunnery Wood High School, said: “Ant was was a lovely lad and deserves a good send off and lots of respect.
“His son meant the world to him and he would do anything for him.”
A Facebook page has also been set up and can be found by searching for ‘RIP Ant Norman’.
Mr Norman had been working for Cuff Security in Gloucester and had spent the last few months working at Marilyns Night Club in Evesham
Marilyns managing director, Richie Ross, said: “It still a shock and totally upsetting for everyone that knew Ant.
“He was only working with us on the Saturday night as part of our security team and he was a great guy to have around.
“Always polite, had a wicked sense of humour, Ant was a key member of the Marilyn’s family.
“None of us can believe he’s not going to be with us anymore. It’s such a tragic loss of a young life.
“Our sincere condolences go out to his family at this tragic time,” he added.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were called to junction 10 of the M5 after reports of a car that had left the southbound carriageway.
Gloucestershire Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision and are keen to speak to the driver and any passengers of a white van that was seen in the area around the time of the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident number 131 of November 17.
