Popular James, 23, killed in A4 crash
Community mourns for "delightful, intelligent" young man
A COMMUNITY is in mourning for a popular and promising young man who died following a car crash.
James Ballantyne was a well-liked barman at the Tally Ho community pub in Hungerford Newtown.
Just last year, Hungerford Rotary Club selected the 23-year-old to be its representative on a Rotary Youth Leadership Award scheme.
But his life was tragically cut short after his red Mazda MX5 was involved in a collision with a red Skoda Fabia on the A4 Bath Road at Halfway around 6.15pm on Friday.
He was taken to Southampton General Hospital but died as a result of his injuries on Sunday morning.
The Skoda driver, a 60-year-old woman, was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and released after treatment.
Kevin Ellis of Thomas Mae estate agents in Marlborough, Wiltshire, was first on the scene.
He said: “We did all we could for the young man, and comforted him until the emergency services arrived.
“They did a fantastic job, the efficient and caring way they worked was exceptional.
“What disgusted me was the behaviour of some other drivers who were more concerned with themselves.”
Mr Ballantyne’s family said in a statement: “James attended Chilton Foliat Primary School and St Barts where he entertained his Curnock housemates with his magic acts.
“He then headed off to Cardiff for an electronic engineering degree before returning to Hungerford to work for Fuel Cell Systems.
“He enjoyed fencing and had been treasurer of Newbury Fencing Club and also fenced at Marlborough.
“He was a popular volunteer barman at his local community pub The Tally Ho.
“He was on the NHS Organ Donor Register so was able to give the gift of life to others.”
The president of Hungerford Rotary Club, district councillor James Podger, presented Mr Ballantyne with his award last year.
He said: “All I can say is how devastated we all are at such a tragic waste of life. Our thoughts are with his family.”
A family friend and near neighbour, Bill Acworth of Little Hidden Farm, Hungerford Newtown, mourned the loss of an “extremely bright, delightful” young man.
Director of the Tally Ho community pub, Paula Woof, said: “James worked behind the bar every Wednesday night and would help out in any other ways he could.
“He was very popular and well liked. James was always cheerful –-he was just a smashing lad who got on with everyone.
“He was highly intelligent and a great credit to his family. It’s a blow for the whole community here and we’re all feeling the loss.”
Pc Melanie Todd, from the Roads Policing Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Three Mile Cross, said: “This is a tragic loss of life and we would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision so we can establish exactly what happened.”
If you saw what happened or have any information about the collision, contact Pc Todd via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101, quoting URN 1374 03/07/15.
Alternatively the independent Crimestoppers charity can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not have to attend court.