A TALENTED young footballer died in a road crash as he cycled home from watching a match at his Southampton school.

Chris Garner, 13, suffered massive head injuries when his bike was in collision with a car in Woodmill Lane, Bitterne Park, at 5.10pm yesterday.

His mother, Karen, rushed to the scene from the nearby family home in Cornwall Crescent after being told what had happened.

Police said Chris, who had been with a 12-year-old friend, was rushed to Southampton General Hospital, where he died at 6pm.

Today the teenager's devastated family spoke of their shock. Chris's uncle, Clive Garner, 40, of Oak Tree Road, Bitterne Park, said: "We are all devastated at the moment. We are just trying to get our heads around it.

"He was football mad and won lots of trophies, and he had just signed to play for Testwood. He had so many friends; he was just a lovely lad."

"I think Chris had just been to see his younger brother, Steve, go and play football.

"Everyone is just so shocked at the moment. It is bad enough when you lose a family member, let alone someone who is just 13."

Police said Chris had been cycling home from watching a football match at Bitterne Park School when his bike was in collision with an oncoming Renault Laguna.

The car driver, a 52-year-old woman from Bitterne Park, gave a negative breath test but was helping with police inquiries.

Police said neither the car driver nor Chris' friend had been injured in the incident.

Last night, Chris' BMX bike was left propped against a driveway after the crash, which happened near the junction of Dell Road. A bouquet of flowers was laid beside it.

Meanwhile, news of the tragedy was relayed to pupils during morning assembly today at Bitterne Park School where the teenager had been a pupil since last year.

The youngster had previously attended Townhill Park Junior School.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "They're just a normal family, they're good as gold. He was football mad, he played all the time. He was a great little lad, just a typical happy go lucky boy."

Witness Anne Sherlock, 51, of Woodmill Lane, said: "I heard a bang and looked outside.

"The little boy was lying on the ground and was unconscious. Ambulance men turned up and were trying to sort him out.

"His mum came and was just screaming. She was so upset, she didn't know what to do."

Accident investigators stayed on the site for three hours and the S-reg Renault car was towed away for examination.

Sgt Cleaven Faulkner said: "Our understanding is that the boy came into collision with the Renault Laguna and as a result sustained very serious head injuries and died later at Southampton General Hospital."

Any information to PC Martin Holland at Shirley traffic police on 0845 045 4545.