TWO families have been left grief-stricken following a car accident which left three people dead.

David and James Echlin, and Richard Parry, were killed in the incident last Thursday night.

The peugeot 205 car driven by Richard Parry left the road at Pontblyddyn in Flintshire

He was driving father and son David and James, 42 and 16, of Caergwrle, along the A541 at 11.30pm when his car left the road on a bend, crashed through a wall and a tree before stopping in a field.

Richard, known to friends as Rich or Richie, lived with his girlfriend Claire Sharp, 20. He is originally from Erwenni, near Pwllheli.

Claire, along with Richard's parents Michael and Sharron and sister Helen, 20, are devastated.

'Rich turned out better than anyone would have wished for,' said Mr Parry.

'He was often referred to as a workaholic, and was family.-known for his generosity, taking delightin helpingothers.Inwork he exceeded all expectations.

'Everybody loved Rich. He lived life to the full and he and Claire were so much in love.

'They had bought a house at Rhosrobin and they were so happy there together.'

Solicitor's secretary Claire had been going out with Richie for five years.

'He always had a lovely smile on his face,' she said. 'He was always happy, laughing and singing, looking forward very much to the future like any heavy-mal 23-year-old.

'His pride and joy was his car but he also cared for me always. He died doing what he loved doing, driving.'

After finishing school in Pwllheli, Richie served an apprenticeship with DRB on the Deeside Industrial Park while attending Yale College.

He was then taken on as an engineer with DHD Engineering Services, on Wrexham Industrial Estate, which maintains and 'The stalls plant equipment and fabricates steel and carbon for heavy industry.

'Rich was very much into cars from the age of two and adored the little plastic car he had as a youngster,' said his mother. 'His interest in rallying developed over the years and he won prizes with the Harlech and District Motor Club and the Llyn Rally.

'He was a lovely boy who never asked for anything. He was very independent and so competent, he could turn his hand to everything.'

Workmates at DHD have paid tribute to Richie.

'This is a tragic loss,' said work colleague Craig Thomas on half of the workforce. 'It has shocked and deeply saddened all at DHD. Richie was excellent at his job and was a credit to his family. Our thoughts go to Claire and both families involved in this tragedy.'

Richie was also was a member of the Broughton and Bretton Motor Club and Claire and his family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received since the accident from club members and others, both in Wrexham and Pwllheli.

Richie's funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) at 1.30pm at Capel y Drindod, Pwllheli. 'The funeral was originally scheduled for Saturday,' said Mr Parry. 'But there is a rally scheduled for that day and Richie would give me a right ear-bashing if it was cancelled because of him. He loved rallying, so it was the right thing to do.'

Members of Broughton and Bretton Motor Club will carry Richie's coffin on the day. Only family flowers are requested by the family. Donations can be made at the church, with several charities will benefit.

David Echlin and his son, James, went to the motor club meeting after James started taking an interest in the sport. Club secretary Howard Gittins, of Rossett, was at the crash scene within minutes.

He said: 'David and James were not club members but they were thinking about joining.

'I was on my way home when I saw what had happened.

'The car was travelling towards Wrexham and had just cleared the bends and the trees and crashed just where the dual carriageway starts.'

James Echlin, an apprentice tiler, left Castell Alun High School, Hope, last summer.

Headmaster David Mountford said: 'James was a very popular lad. Lots of the children who knew him have been very saddened.'

Mrs Kaye Echlin was too upset to talk about the tragedy.

She and her daughters, Louise, 20, and Hayley, 18, and son Thomas, seven,werebeingcomforted by friends and relatives.

* Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them on 0845 607 100. www.icnorthwales.co.uk