A FAMILY has paid tribute to a 22-year-old man who died in a crash on the A31 near Ringwood over the weekend.

Connor Heath Johnson, of Hightown Gardens, suffered fatal injuries after a crash on the A31 which took place early Sunday morning.

Emergency services were called to the westbound carriageway at the bottom of Poulner Hill at 2.15am following a crash between a silver Peugeot 406 estate and a coach operated by Poole-based company Seaview.

Mr Johnson's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers of Hampshire Constabulary.

In a statement, his family said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Connor Johnson died in the early hours of Sunday morning. He is at peace now having suffered anxieties for the past couple of years. He was our loving son and will always remain in our hearts.”

Mr Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed for several hours while police dealt with the incident, eventually reopening the carriageway at 9.30am.

The matter has now been referred to the coroner.

A spokesman for Seaview Coaches told the Daily Echo that they were cooperating with police in their ongoing investigation and described the incident as “distressing” for all those concerned.

Officers are calling for witnesses to the crash to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting 44170160420, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.