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'You'll always be in our hearts': Tributes to Willenhall crash victim Liam Ryan

Tributes have been paid to a teenager killed in an early-hours crash in the Black Country.

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Tributes to Liam Ryan left at the scene in Essington Road

Liam Ryan, 19, has been named by police as the driver killed in the crash in Willenhall on Monday.

Mr Ryan died after being seriously injured when his car hit a wall on the A462 Essington Road in New Invention at around 4.15am.

Liam Ryan was aged 19 when he died

Investigations are ongoing but police believe Mr Ryan lost control of the black Peugeot 207 he was driving before it crashed into the wall near Wrighton Close.

Mr Ryan's family have now paid tribute to the teenager, saying he "will always be in our hearts".

A handwritten message from Mr Ryan's mother

In a statement, they said: "We are all shocked at the sudden loss of a son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and loving boyfriend.

“You will be missed and will always be in our hearts. Please respect that we will need time to grieve as a family and come to terms with our sudden loss.”

Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the crash site in tribute to Mr Ryan, alongside candles, balloons, drinks, and handwritten messages from his mother and friends.

Some of the flowers left at the scene
More of the tributes

One poster featuring photographs of Mr Ryan was dedicated to "Iron Ryan".

Sergeant Alan Hands, from West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "CCTV enquiries are ongoing and we continue to appeal to anyone in the area at the time, or anyone with dashcam footage to contact us.

“Our thoughts remain with his family who are being supported by specialist officers.”

The aftermath of the crash on Essington Road

The busy residential road was closed between Lichfield Road and Milestone Way for around five hours as police collision investigators examined the scene.

Much of the wall was destroyed in the crash and bricks were left scattered across the driveway behind.

Anyone with information can call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting incident reference number 280 of September 16.

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