A DISTRAUGHT couple spoke of their anguish this week as they struggle to come to terms with the death of their 25-year-old son following a freak accident at work.

John Rowland (pictured right), of Lovely Lane, was nearing the end of his shift at Tibbet and Britten, in Runcorn, when a crate load of pallets he was helping to unload tipped over and fell on to him.

He was rushed to Warrington Hospital where he died on Thursday morning.

His parents, Christine and Brian, sister Tracey and brother Barry have been left broken-hearted by the shock news and spoke this week of the fun-loving young man who had a smile for everyone he met.

His devastated father Brian said: "He was a real party animal, always up dancing or singing Mambo Number Five on the karaoke. You just had to talk to him for five minutes and you knew you'd made a friend.

"His workmates have said that it was John who used to get them through their shifts because he would entertain them and always have a smile. He brightened up their lives just as he did ours."

Just five weeks before his death John had left home to move into flat in Runcorn with his girlfriend to be closer to work.

Mr Rowland added: "His girlfriend Tracey has visited the chapel of rest every day, she's inconsolable. We hadn't seen much of him since he moved in to the flat because he was off fixing things up and making it a home. He was really pleased with everything and we were very proud.

His mum Christine said: "He looked so young that every time he went out drinking he'd have to take his passport with him. I'd always say to him don't complain because when you're 50 you'll only look 35 but he didn't even get to see his 26th birthday."

A keen rugby fan, John had been cameraman for the Bank Quay Bulls for more than five years, videoing the games to use for training purposes. Saturday's game was dedicated to John, following a minute's silence.

Andy Stephens from the club said: "We are all absolutely gutted, we just can't believe this has happened."