A WILLITON man who died of multiple facial injuries after his car crashed through a hedge and fencing in the early hours of Sunday morning has been described as a "darling and a sweetheart" by his family.

David James Stevens, of Whitecroft, died in Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital with his closest relatives at his bedside just over eight hours after the horrific accident.

His brother Michael told the Free Press the family was particularly grateful to paramedics called to the scene of the crash, which happened near the railway bridge on the Doniford to Williton road.

"They gave us the chance to say goodbye to him and we want to thank them for that," he said.

David, who was 23, was on his way home after an evening shift as a barman at the Haven Holiday Village at Doniford Park.

Police, who have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information on the crash to contact them, said his silver Audi A4 saloon had just passed under the railway bridge when it left the road near Liddimore Lane at about 1.20am.

It ploughed through a hedge and fencing before coming to a halt.

Firefighters from Williton and Nether Stowey, together with a rescue tender from Taunton, were called to the scene and had to use hydraulic cutting equipment to remove one of the vehicle's doors to free David from the wreckage.

Some of David's work colleagues were travelling behind him when the accident happened and were able to raise the alarm immediately.

"One girl stayed with him until the emergency services arrived, so we're really glad that he wasn't alone at all," said Michael.

At the hospital David's mother Tracey, his father Roger Stevens, his stepmother and stepfather, grandmother Anne Howells and Michael were with him when he lost his fight for life.

"My nan and I both held his hand," said Michael.

"I'll just remember him as the brother I always looked after.

"His family and friends meant everything to him. He loved our sister, who is four, and my daughter who is nearly three - he was just brilliant with kids."

David was a pupil at St Peter's First and Danesfield Middle Schools in Williton and went on to attend the West Somerset Community College in Minehead.

After leaving full-time education he worked as a butcher at the Grampian Country Pork pig processing plant in Wiveliscombe.

But severe back problems which led to him undergoing surgery in 2005 forced him to give up the job.

He had started work at Haven at the end of May, having previously worked at the Williton Recycling Centre, a job he loved.

David's interests were varied but he was passionate about the outdoor life, counting fishing and walking on the hills amongst his favourite hobbies.

But he also enjoyed drag racing and was a keen biker, although he did not own his own motorcycle.

His grandmother told the Free Press: "He was a quiet boy but very sociable and very loving - a darling and a sweetheart.

"We never realised he had so many friends and we've had so many cards, flowers and messages from people we never even knew were his friends - it's been overwhelming.

"He always used to tell me not to worry about him. It's been a terrible, dreadful shock to everyone to lose him like this."

The funeral service at Taunton Deane Crematorium at 2.30pm next Wednesday (July 1) will include some of David's favourite music, as well as personal tributes from his mother and brother.

It will be taken by the vicar of Williton, the Rev Richard Allen, who had known David since he was six.

"His biking friends will be wearing leathers and some of us will be wearing suits because he liked to get dressed up," said Michael.

"We want people to wear what they want and we want as many of his friends to come as possible.

"We know he will never be forgotten."

There will be family flowers only but donations for the intensive care unit at Musgrove can be left at the crematorium or sent to the funeral directors, Grandfield & Son, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater TA5 1HZ.

Anyone with information on the accident should contact the police Collision Investigation Unit on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.