Tributes paid to 'warm' and 'welcoming' Leeds university student who died after Woodhouse Lane crash
Tributes have been paid to a “warm” and “welcoming” student after he died following a serious crash in Leeds near his university.
Owen Ford, 18, died earlier this week following the incident on Woodhouse Lane, on March 5.
The teen was taken to hospital in critical condition suffering life-threatening injuries after he had been involved in a collision with a silver Toyota Prius private hire car.
Police confirmed the student sadly died earlier this week.
It has since emerged that Owen was studying Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds.
Dr Ali Alazmani, deputy head of the University of Leeds' School of Mechanical Engineering, said "his presence and warm personality will be sorely missed by both staff and students".
He said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Owen. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those affected at this very difficult time.
“Owen’s personal tutor, Dr David Peacock, described him as someone who was welcoming and good natured, confident but respectful, and who had a sincere appreciation for those around him.
“His presence and warm personality will be sorely missed by both staff and students.
"We can’t imagine how Owen's close friends and family must be feeling at the moment, but we hope in time they might take some solace from the fact that we remember him fondly and it was a real pleasure to get to know him."
The driver of the car, a 55-year-old man from Leeds, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He was bailed pending further enquiries.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said earlier this week: "An 18-year-old man has sadly died in hospital after a serious road traffic collision in Leeds on March 5.
"Officers came across a silver Toyota Prius private hire car in collision with an 18 year old pedestrian on Woodhouse Lane at around 12.15am.
"Owen Ford aged 18, died in hospital on March 21 from injuries sustained in the collision.
"The driver of the car, a 55-year-old man from Leeds, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He was bailed pending further enquiries.
"Officers from the Major Collision Enquiry Team (MCET) are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or the circumstances leading up to it, particularly anyone with relevant dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact the MCET via 101 quoting log 21 of 5 March or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat."