14 May 2013 13:39

The university is shocked and saddened following the death of 22-year-old student Ryan Rostron on May 12 when his car hit a tree on Garstang Road near St Michael’s.

Ryan was a third year Media and Cultural Studies student and a member of Furness College.

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E.Smith has paid tribute to Ryan, saying: “We are very sorry to have lost such a talented and likeable student in such a tragic incident and our thoughts go to his family at this devastating time.”

In a statement Ryan’s mother, Pamela Rostron, said: “Ryan made me very proud in all he did. He played rugby at Blackpool RUFC colts. He was very good at badminton and recently he was on the executive committee and played pool at Lancaster University.

"When Ryan went to university I was extremely proud. Not only was he studying having dyslexia, but also worked at Argos in Cleveleys to top up his money. He bought his new car with his own money as it was his dream to own his own car. He was due to graduate on July 18 2013 and had been making plans to celebrate. I am just so sad that he won’t be there on that date.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The collision took place around 6.40pm on Sunday May 12 as Ryan was driving his silver Renault Clio along Garstang Road from Poulton towards the A6.

Sergeant Lee Campbell from the Force Road Policing Unit said: “This is a tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life. I would appeal to anybody that witnessed the collision, or the car being driven prior to it leaving the road, to come forward and contact Lancashire Police on 101.”