Family pays tribute to Hungerford car crash victim

Tributes to a popular and promising young Hungerford man have been made by his family.

James Ballantyne, aged 23, died in a car crash on the A4 at Half Way in July this year.

An inquest heard on Thursday that a rear tyre blow out led to the fatal crash.

Mr Ballantyne was a well-like barman at the Tally Ho community pub in Hungerford Newtown and had been treasurer of Newbury Fencing Club.

He had a degree in electronic engineering and was on the NHS Organ Donor Register. A memorial fund was created in his name.

In a statement relased today (Sunday) his family thanked "all those very generous people who have donated to The James Ballantyne Memorial Fund to support and encourage young engineers and those who have signed up to the organ donor register (and more importantly discussed their wishes with their next of kin).

"He is greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues."

For a report of the inquest, see Thursday's Newbury Weekly News