Car crash family's double grief

The parents of a man who died in a crash in Hertfordshire said they were "numb" after the deaths of two of their children in a period of two months.

Chris Puddifoot, 22, from Northwood, London, died when the car he was travelling in collided with another in Watford on Tuesday.

His sister, Karen, 27, and friend Tim Roney, 21, of Sarratt, near Watford, drowned off Vietnam on 24 September.

Michael and Mei Puddifoot said they were "at a loss for words".

Charity cycle ride

Their son had accompanied his sister, also of Northwood, and Mr Roney - described as one of his best friends - on a round-the-world charity bike ride to raise funds for the British Lung Foundation.

He completed the European and Scandinavian parts of the trip.

Miss Puddifoot and Mr Roney were continuing on the fundraising excursion when a packed boat overturned in the South China Sea. They were among five who drowned.

In a statement released by Hertfordshire Police, Mr and Mrs Puddifoot said: "Chris was a tower of strength to us after we lost Karen and of course Tim, who was such a close family friend.

"All of their friends were, and continue to be so supportive after Karen died and now we are having to cope with losing Chris too.

"He was so strong for us.

"Words cannot describe the shock of our loss of such a beautiful son and how we will cope without them both.

"No parent should ever have to outlive a child but losing two of our children in less than two months has left us numb and at a loss for words."

The couple described their son, an assistant manager at a hospice charity shop, as warm and caring, with a particular connection and affection with elderly people.

His girlfriend, Abigail Bains, said he had meant everything to her.

"He had lots of friends, whom he adored, and who supported him after the deaths of Karen and Tim," she added.

Miss Puddifoot worked in the film industry and was involved in the making of movies including The New World, as well as doing work in theatre and television.

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