A COMMUNITY is mourning after the death of a talented and popular rugby player who was killed in a car crash.
Michael Wood, 18, from Stow-on-the-Wold, died after his car crashed into a telegraph pole along the A429 Fosse Way, between Bourton-in-the-Water and his home town.
Police and emergency crews were called to the incident at 10.15pm on Thursday and closed the road for around 12 hours to gather evidence.
Michael was pronounced dead at the scene.
His family have been informed.
The former Cotswold School pupil played rugby for Stow-on-the-Wold RFC.
He appeared regularly for the club's seconds team with his dad, Ed.
Club chairman, David Oughton, announced last night that its colts' away fixture with Milton Keynes had been postponed this weekend as a mark of respect.
Mr Oughton said: "The club is in tremendous shock and it will have a huge impact on the team.
"Michael has been a player for the club for many years and was a fantastic young man who gave his all on the pitch.
"I knew and coached Mikey from the time he joined the colts team right through to the senior squad.
"He enjoyed the social side off the pitch and was very well liked amongst his teammates.
"He never took a step back – he played hard and fair. Mikey was a wonderful young man and was very loyal to his friends."
Assemblies will be held at Cotswold School in memory of its former pupil.
Counselling has been offered to pupils and staff who are still coming to terms with his death.
Headteacher Will Morgan said: "As a school and as a community, we are deeply upset about what has happened.
"Michael was a very popular young man both in his own year and other year groups and the impact of his death will ripple throughout the school.
"I would like to offer the school's deepest sympathies to his family at this difficult time."
Police are now calling for witnesses who may have passed the scene immediately after the incident to come forward.
A spokesman said: "Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call police on 101 quoting incident 475 of April 18.
"Witnesses can also remain anonymous by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org."
Telephone lines were yesterday being assessed by engineers.
Chris Orum, a BT spokesman, added: "The pole is in pieces following the accident and we have engineers on site.
"We don't yet know how many customers, if any, have been affected and whether the telephone line itself was damaged."
A funeral for Michael Wood is yet to be arranged.
