TEARFUL tributes have been paid to a Weymouth sailor killed in a horrific accident just yards from his naval base.

Petty Officer Tony Dedman, 44, suffered fatal injurues shortly after getting off a bus outside RNAS Culdrose in Helston, Cornwall.

Two passing off-duty nurses worked to revive Mr Dedman but the former Broadwey (now Wey Valley) School pupil's injuries were so serious he was declared dead at the scene.

The 18-year-old driver of the white Metro which was in collision with Mr Dedman was treated for shock.

His father, Michael Dedman, 68, of Kitchener Road, said: "He was a diamond. There's no other word to describe him.

"He was a great son, always happy and smiling. Never in our lives did we have a crossed word with him. Never a bad word for anyone.

"He never raised his voice and I never had to raise mine. Tony had a fantastic sense of humour.

"He had so many mates that we're going to have two services, one in Plymouth and one up here, but we don't know when they will held yet.

"People who knew him loved him so much we wanted all of them to have the chance to say goodbye."

Mr Dedman said although his son had a home in Helston, Cornwall, he frequently returned to Weymouth for weekends.

He said Tony served in the sea cadets and at 16 joined the Navy.

He said: "He wanted to go to sea and he served all over the place, in the first Gulf war and in the Falklands after that war."

Mr Dedman said his son's partner of 10 years, Karen, was too upset to talk.

He added that his wife Barbara, 67, and two other sons Mark, 43, and Paul 42, who all live in Weymouth, were devastated by the death.

PO Dedman had been serving with 792 squadron at Culdrose.

His commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Alan Rogers said: "Tony was a cheerful, helpful man, whose friendly smile brightened the day for those around him.

"Always dependable and thorough he was, in naval parlance, a cracking bloke. Tony worked in various ships and Naval establishments, notably Culdrose, and always brought his willing personality to whatever he was doing. He will be missed by us all."

He added that as a mark of respect the White Ensign was flying at half-mast throughout the day following PO Deadman's death.

Culdrose spokesman, Ian Mackay, added: "We are particularly grateful to the two off-duty nurses from the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, whose names we do not yet know, but who were passing and offered their assistance at the scene."

An inquest has been opened into the death.