BLAKENEY motorbike and car enthusiast Ben Smith has died after a car crash in Bream.

The 24-year-old was driving a Subaru Impreza out of Bream when it hit a wall and a Nissan X-Trail travelling in the opposite direction.

Ben, a talented motorcycle racer and car fan, died at the scene on the B4231 Coleford Road just on the edge of the village at 11.45pm on Sunday.

Gillian Loschkey, 74, had come from America and was visiting her cousin in Bream when the crash happened.

A nurse with 52 years’ experience, she was among the first on the scene.

"We were going so sleep and there was a tremendous sound of squealing tyres and a thudding crash," she said.

"The electrics went out because the car had hit a lamp post outside and just from the sound of the impact we realised someone must have been badly injured.

"After getting a torch from downstairs we went out and saw a car on its roof.

"I checked the pulse of the driver and there was none, in my opinion."

She added: "I think it is important for the family to know that in my view he couldn’t have been conscious after the crash - he did not suffer."

A page in memory of Ben, a former Whitecross and Blakeney Primary pupil, has been set up on the social networking site Facebook which was gathering members yesterday.

Ben had two brothers, three nieces and one nephew.

On The Forester website Ben’s family and friends left messages mourning his loss.

His cousin Mark, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: "Although I have not seen him for a good few years I will miss him and my heart is with his mother and father who I know are devastated and will dearly miss him."

A close friend, who did not want to be named, said: "Ben was a great boy who didn’t deserve to be taken away from us like that.

"He enjoyed spending time with his mates and he was a fun-loving guy who would do anything for anyone.

"He also loved his white boxer dog, Buster."

His father did not want to pay tribute at this time but asked to thank everyone for their thoughts.

Making his mark on the motorbike racing scene in 2003, Ben won awards for being the most promising rider and best newcomer to the sport while riding his Yamaha TZ250 motorbike.

On Monday afternoon floral tributes were already being put out at the scene of the crash.

A card one of them read: "To my baby boy. My heart will always be with you. Love, Mum."

Another read: "Why Ben? So gonna miss ya. Leon, Nat & Girls."

Police shut the road for several hours to conduct their investigation into the cause of the crash.

On his Facebook page, his friend Jo Stanley posted: "For anyone viewing this profile that doesn't know, Ben sadly passed away in a road traffic accident on 29/06/09. Another innocent life claimed too soon. Rest In Peace Ben x"

An inquest into Ben’s death is not expected to be opened by the Gloucester Coroner until today.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 660 of June 28. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.