Three students die in car crash

Natalie, Christopher and David died near the college

Three students died in a two-car crash outside their agricultural college campus.

Natalie Dustan, David Holtom and Christopher Machattie, all in their early 20s, were killed in the accident near the entrance to Harper Adams University College, near Newport, Shropshire.

Miss Dustan, from Dorset, was driving a Ford Fiesta which was in collision with a Peugeot 306 in which Mr Holtom, from Hertfordshire, and Mr Machattie, from Suffolk, were travelling.

Three other men in the Peugeot - also students at the college - were taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

The loss of three young people is a tragic blow

Professor Wynne Jones

College principal Professor Wynne Jones said everyone at the institution, which has 1,800 students on its roll, was deeply shocked by the tragedy.

Prof Jones added: "The loss of three young people is a tragic blow to the whole college community and a tremendous shock to their student friends and the staff who taught them."

Miss Dustan was in the fourth year of a BSc in rural environment protection, Mr Holtom was in the first year of an HND in business and marketing and Mr Machattie was also a first year, studying for an HND in agri-food marketing and business administration.

Crash investigators

Students' Union president Bobby Barbour added: "As a small student body, we have a tremendous community spirit and we will rely on that to help each other get through these difficult times."

The road at the scene of the accident remained closed until Thursday morning while crash investigators from West Mercia Constabulary carried out an examination.

Witnesses have been asked to call Telford police on 01952 290888.