This is Devon --THE unexpected death of a fun-loving teenager has devastated family and friends.
Motoring enthusiast Robbie Williams, 19, a former Tiverton High School and Petroc student, was found dead on August 11 shortly after starting work as a mechanic.
Family members and friends met in around 50 cars at the Rainbow Superstore car park in Tiverton on August 17 before driving en masse to Exmouth seafront to hold a candlelit vigil in tribute to the teenager.
His mother Sarah Thelwall, who moved to Wells from Tiverton three years ago, described his death as "unbelievable."
"We knew Robbie as caring, generous, helpful, fun-loving and always eager to please and he is going to be missed by so many people," she said.
Robbie studied motorsport at Bridgwater College and won a place as an apprentice at Avalon Citroen in Glastonbury. He moved to Wells two years ago to join his family.
"He was so popular here and he had so many friends," said Mrs Thelwall. "I am only just beginning to realise the level of significance Robbie had on so many people."
Robbie's cousin Dulton Burton, 19, of Clare Drive, Tiverton, organised the 'drive out' event on social networking website Facebook where more than 100 people said they would attend. Mr Burton said: "Robbie was really popular in school and quite a cheeky lad who was always up for a laugh and he loved going out with his friends at the weekend. Everybody has been devastated by his death.
"He was really into his cars and bikes and any spare two minutes he had he would spend working on his car. With the drive-out, as many people could go as they liked as only a certain amount will be able to go to the funeral."
He said everybody had been shocked by Robbie's death. He presented those at the drive-out with blue denim and asked them to tie them to their aerials.
"Robbie always used to wear a blue denim shirt," he said.
A5 pieces of paper were also placed in car windows with the words, 'Rest in Peace Robbie'.
Candles were lit and placed along Exmouth seafront and lanterns let into the skies when friends and family members "said a few words".
A funeral service will be held at St Cuthbert's Church, Wells, on August 29 (2pm), followed by cremation at Mendip Crematorium, Old Wells Road, Croscombe.
A celebration of his life will be held afterwards at the Wagon and Horses Inn, Old Frome Road, Doulting Beacon, Shepton Mallet. Anyone who wishes to attend will be welcome. Reported by This is 1 day ago.