Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Families pay tribute to four men killed after their car crashed into a tree

Police on patrol discovered a black Renault Clio that had left the road on the A436 shortly before 2am on Sunday.

Rosie Shead
Friday 26 July 2024 23:06 BST
Narcis Titianu, one of the four men who died in a collision on the A436 (Gloucestershire Police/PA)
Narcis Titianu, one of the four men who died in a collision on the A436 (Gloucestershire Police/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

The families of four men killed after their car crashed into a tree in Gloucestershire have spoken of an “ocean of sadness” after their deaths.

Police on patrol discovered a black Renault Clio that had left the road and collided with a tree on the A436 at Ullenwood, near Cheltenham, shortly before 2am on Sunday, killing all four friends.

Gloucestershire Police have now been named as 18-year-old Andrei Tudorov, a Romanian national who was visiting Gloucestershire on holiday, along with Lyuben Gogov, Narcis Titianu and Ioan Toma, all aged 20, who were living in Gloucester.

Mr Gogov was a Bulgarian national, while Mr Titianu and Mr Toma were Romanian nationals, the force said.

Mr Tudorov’s mother, Iolanda, paid tribute to her “angel” son, saying: “He was going to take the Baccalaureate and go to Campina and wanted to become a policeman.

“Andrei had been doing sports since he was four years old.

“He was a warm and loving soul, a good brother, an angel who took flight much too soon, leaving behind an ocean of sadness, both in his family and among his friends”.

Mr Titianu’s family paid tribute to the “boundless love and joy” he brought to those that knew him.

They said: “As the youngest of three siblings, Narcis brought boundless love and joy into the lives of his family and friends.”

“Words cannot fully capture the essence of Narcis, our handsome and intelligent brother.

“Though he is no longer with us, we hold onto the hope that we will be reunited one day, when God will come.

“Until then, his memory will live on in our hearts, an irreplaceable part of our lives,” they added.

Mr Tomu’s family said he was a “beacon of light” in their lives and “the epitome of joy and warmth”.

They said: “He was not just a brother – he was the epitome of joy and warmth.

“Ioan’s constant smile and infectious laughter could light up the darkest room, and his presence brought happiness to all who knew him.”

The parents of Mr Gogov paid tribute to their son’s “everlasting smile” and thanked him for “all the memories and joy” he had given them.

They said: “Losing a son is one of the hardest losses to have to get through in life.

“You’ll always remain in our thoughts.

“Thanks for all the memories and joy you’ve given us.

“May you everlasting smile always remain in our hearts.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in