Family pays tribute to crash victim (From Free Press Series)

Family pays tribute to crash victim

THE family of a former Abergavenny school pupil who died in a road traffic collision on Christmas Eve as he was walking along the A465 near Pandy have paid tribute to him, saying his death is "an immense loss to us all".

Ryan James Lancaster,21, attended Llywnu Infants/Junior Schools and King Henry VIII Comprehensive School in Abergavenny. He was a member of the Gwent A.C.F and rose in rank to Cadet S/Sgt.

Mr Lancaster was renowned for his skills and abilities in organising training exercises, in particular his famous 'night manoeuvres' at Castle Meadows, Abergavenny.

A keen coarse fisherman, Ryan often delighted his parents with his 'catch'.

Ryan's love of motoring took up much of his time - he would spend many hours lavishing love and attention on his much beloved car.

Ryan, who was already a fully qualified 360 (excavators and dumper truck operator, was progressing well in his career in the construction/demolition industry with the Cuddy Group of Neath, was training as a plant operator.

One of his last tasks was to demolish his old school Llywnu Infants in Abergavenny. His family say he had planned to complete a course in demolition explosives.

Ryan leaves grieving parents Carol and Lyndon, brothers Jake and Dwayne, sisters-in-law Nicole and Jade, niece Aquilla, whom he adored, his girlfriend Danielle and the rest of his family and friends.