FAMILY tributes have been paid to a Quantock Hills villager described as the ‘life and soul of every party’ following his recent death on the M5 motorway.

Calum Taylor-Dodd, aged 34, who lived in Spaxton, was remembered by his wife and family as a loving man ‘who has gone too soon’.

Mr Taylor-Dodd died when he was hit by a lorry on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between junctions 23 and 24 at about 10 pm on April 26.

In a statement released through Avon and Somerset Police, his family said: “Our world has been absolutely shattered. We don not know where to begin.

Calum Taylor-Dodd with his family.
Calum Taylor-Dodd with his family. (Family photo)

“We are all in complete denial at the moment and absolutely nothing feels real. We have so many questions.

“Why and how his wife is being left a widow at 32 and how does she begin to think about continuing to raise their two children.

“Calum was the life and soul of every party and loved by all.

“We love you so much Calum, we know you knew this. We will look for you in the stars always and forever.

“We would like to thank the emergency services and members of the public for being with our Calum.

Calum Taylor-Dodd with his wife.
Calum Taylor-Dodd with his wife. (Family photo)

“Our thoughts are also with the lorry driver, and we hope he is receiving the support he deserves.”

Police said the family was being supported by a specially trained family liaison officer and ‘our thoughts are with them at this difficult time’.

Despite the efforts of paramedics and police officers, Mr Taylor-Dodd died at the scene of the incident.

Police are continuing to carry out inquiries on behalf of Somerset Coroner. Samantha Marsh, who opened an inquest on Wednesday (May 10) into Mr Taylor-Dodd’s death and adjourned until a later date after hearing evidence of identification and cause of death.