THE mother of a ten-year-old boy killed in a road traffic collision along with his father has paid tribute to her "happy-go-lucky" son.

Matthew Thacker, of Hillgrove Crescent, Kidderminster, and his father John, 43, also from the town, were both killed when the Jaguar XKR they were travelling in was in collision with a red Vauxhall Corsa, on the A456, at 12.20pm, on Sunday.

The Jaguar car left the Kidderminster-bound side of the carriageway and hit a tree.

A 22-year-old man from the Kidderminster area, who was driving the Corsa, was not injured but suffered shock.

The dead youngster, known as Matty, was also a pupil at Winterfold House school, near Chaddesley Corbett.

His mother Susie said: "Matty was a lovely son and brother. He adored spending time with his dad and cousins.

"He was a keen sports fan, in particular rugby and football in which he also excelled at playing for his school.

"Like his dad he was also a keen tennis player, playing for Cutnall Green Tennis Club.

"He was also a dedicated Worcester Warriors rugby fan and he and his dad had season tickets.

"He was a cheeky, happy-go-lucky little monkey who could get away with almost anything with his lovely smile."

John Thacker, a regional sales manager for Leicester-based firm Flo-Gas, died along with his son following a collision, near Hodgehill Nurseries.

Mr Thacker, who was divorced from his children's mother, was driving and Matthew was a rear seat passenger.

His daughter Emma, 15, was a front seat passenger and she was airlifted to the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, with a fractured pelvis. She remains at the hospital in a stable condition.

He was a keen rugby fan and used to play for Chaddesley Corbett RFC until forced to retire through injury about five years ago. He was also a hot air balloon enthusiast.

Post mortems were set to be carried out, today, and Matthew's family have requested no flowers be sent and instead donations be made to the County Air Ambulance.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision which happened while both vehicles involved were travelling towards Kidderminster from Blakedown.

PC Sian Davies, of the road policing unit, Rubery, said: "This has been a tragedy for all concerned and our thoughts are with the families.

"We need to investigate all the circumstances and we are particularly interested in talking to anyone travelling in the direction of Kidderminster from Blakedown who may have witnessed the incident or seen the Jaguar or the Corsa before the collision.

"We are also keen to talk to those motorists who stopped at the scene of the collision immediately afterwards as they may have information that could be useful to our investigation."

Witnesses or anyone with information should call the road policing unit on 08457 444 888.

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