Christopher Bowler

A Kidderminster man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a young Severn Valley Railway worker by dangerous driving.

Gavin Chance, aged 25, of Wardle Way, Kidderminster, is accused of causing the death of 21-year-old Christopher Bowler in Shatterford on October 3 last year.

Chance appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster yesterday to face the charge for the first time.

He sobbed throughout the short hearing and had to be handed a tissue.

Mr Bowler was a front seat passenger in a Rover 45 which was being driven toward Kidderminster from Bridgnorth on the A442 when it was involved in a crash with another vehicle.

He was pronounced dead at the scene on the A442 Kidderminster to Shatterford road.

Fire crews from Kidderminster battled for two hours to free Mr Bowler from the Rover.

Chance did not enter a plea and was told his case would be heard at Worcester Crown Court on August 10.

Mr Bowler, of Kidderminster, worked in the catering department of the Severn Valley Railway.

Following his death, his parents Paul and Michele, brother Wez and girlfriend Sophie released a statement describing him as “larger than life”.

They described him as a “central link” within his friendship group and said the Severn Valley Railway had “become his life” and he took part in re-enactments events at the tourist attraction.

The former Stourport High and King Charles I pupil had previously worked at Stone Manor Hotel and the Gainsborough House Hotel.

Following his death, his friends set up a memorial page on the social networking site Facebook.

Chance was granted bail.