Families pay tribute to friends killed in A436 crash

The families of four friends who died in a car crash have paid tribute to their loved ones.

Andrei Tudorov, 18, Lyuben Gogov, 20, Narcis Titianu, 20, and Ioan Toma, 20, were found dead in the early hours of Sunday morning by police on the A436 at Ullenwood near Cheltenham.

The black Renault Clio they were travelling in had left the road and crashed into a tree.

Gloucestershire Police said Mr Gogov, Mr Titianu and Mr Toma all lived together in Gloucester, while Mr Tudorov visited them on holiday.

Mr Todorov’s mother Iolanda paid tribute to her son, who came to Gloucestershire from Romania, describing him as her “child full of dreams”.

“He was going to take his baccalaureate and go to Câmpina and wanted to become a police officer,” she said.

“Andrei was a warm and loving soul, a good brother, an angel who flew away much too early, leaving behind an ocean of sadness, both in his family and among his friends.”

Mr Titianu, a Romanian national, “left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him,” his family said.

The youngest of three siblings, he moved to the UK almost four years ago, “driven by a desire to build a future for himself, which is testament to his courage and ambition”.

His family added that he “had a gift for connecting with people, earning their respect through his dedication and intellect,” and said he “deeply cherished” his roots in Romania, particularly through his love of nature.

“In his spare time, Narcis found joy in the simple pleasures of life,” they said, adding that he enjoyed playing computer games with family and friends.

“Rest in peace, Narcis,” they added. “You will always be loved and your spirit will always be a guide to those who knew you.”

His fellow Romanian, Mr Toma, was described by his family as a “beacon in their lives”.

“He was not just a brother, he was the embodiment of joy and warmth,” they said. “Ioan’s constant smile and infectious laughter could light up the darkest room, and his presence brought happiness to all who knew him.”

“Ioan was the best brother in the world. He possessed a unique blend of intelligence and compassion that made him a valued friend and confidant.”

They added that he “had a heart of gold” and had “a profound impact on the lives of those around him.”

“Even though you are no longer with us, your spirit lives in our hearts and we will always carry your love with us,” they said.

Bulgarian national Mr Gogov’s parents, Krasimira and Borislav, said their son “will always remain in our thoughts”.

“Losing a son is one of the hardest losses to overcome in life,” they said.

“You will always remain in our thoughts. Thank you for all the memories and joy you gave us.

“May your eternal smile always remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, my son. We will miss you.”

Anyone with information about the crash or dashcam footage has been asked to contact police.