Family's Tribute To Crash Driver

A family in mourning have paid tribute to a 33-year-old man who tragically lost his life following a road traffic collision in Bournemouth.

At around 6.25pm on Monday 19th March 2012, Robert Matthews, a commercial estimator from Bournemouth, was involved in a three vehicle collision along Southbourne Grove.

He received first-aid at the scene, but was sadly later pronounced dead at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

The family has also agreed to the release by Dorset Police of a picture of Robert for use by the media, with a request that journalists respect their wish for privacy at this difficult time.

Robert is pictured with his mother, Pam Matthews, at her wedding last year.

The family said:

“Rob was a wonderful son to Pam and has been a tower of strength since losing his father six years ago. He was very proud to have given Pam away at her wedding last year.

“He was the best friend to his sister Sarah and he was always at the end of a phone.

“Rob was the soul mate to Sarah, his girlfriend, who he loved dearly.

“He will be sadly missed by his family, his girlfriend’s family and his friends – particularly all the boys, who say the world will be a duller place without him.

“Rob was loved by all who knew him; he was popular, clever and had a great sense of humour.

“We all miss you, ‘forever young Robert’.”

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to members of the public, police, paramedics and staff at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for the assistance they gave Robert following the collision.