DEVASTATED loved ones of a former Stourbridge man tragically killed in a car crash near Kidderminster have paid tribute to a “person with a big heart”.

Stuart Frost, aged 42, was killed on March 21 on the A450, Worcester Road, in Shenstone, between Mustow Green and Hartlebury, at around 1.15pm – less than a mile from his parent’s home in Stanklyn Lane.

Paramedics battled to save the life of the former King Edward VI College student but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His partner Emma, 32, was also injured in the crash and was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

His heartbroken parents paid tribute to the former nurse, who had recently started a new job at Kidderminster Hospital, when the tragedy occurred.

In a statement they said: “He was our only son and we are devastated that he has been taken from us in such tragic circumstances. We are trying to be strong and support Emma, but life will never be the same.

“He died in the car that he loved, having bought the MG3 90th anniversary edition 12 months ago and cherished it ever since. He died with Emma by his side, en-route to a relaxing lunch on one of their rare days off together.

“Stuart was a highly intelligent man, had an extremely dry sense of humour, he made friends wherever he was.

“He became devoted to helping other people and had the whole of his new career before him.

“Stuart was so excited about his new role and working again within the local area - a side benefit was that this would allow more time for him to volunteer for Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), who he already volunteered with, as the nearest he could get to the RNLI in the land-locked Midlands.”

His partner Emma added: “Stuart overcame lots of obstacles in his life and in doing so became the person he was today – a kind, loving, articulate person with a big heart.

“This gained him many close and lifelong friends.

“I am totally devastated at my own and his parents’ loss, but I will always cherish the time we had together.”

He was born in Stoke-on-Trent and moved to Stourbridge in 1987, where he attended Thorns Secondary School and King Edward VI College.

He then went to Nottingham Trent University, and later joined the Royal Air Force, where he became a member of the Military Police.

Stuart moved to Weston-super-Mare where he began his nursing career, before eventually returning home to his family, who had moved to Kidderminster.

He attended Worcester University, where he achieved a first class honours degree, as well as being nominated for “Nursing Student of the Year”, becoming a student representative and meeting his partner Emma.

After leaving university, he worked in mental health nursing, focusing on drug and alcohol addiction and had initially chose to work in prisons. His new job had seen him supporting patients with mental health issues.

The family have requested that no tributes be placed at or near the site of the crash as they do not wish to further distract passing motorists.

Funeral arrangements will be advised in due course and will be in the form of a celebration of Stuart’s life and achievements.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident reference number 297S of March 21.