THE PARENTS of a young soldier from Christchurch who died after being hit by train have paid tribute to their selfless and loving son.

Will Brutnell, a former pupil at Brockenhurst College, died on Monday, February 9, at a railway crossing in Totton, Hampshire.

The 18-year-old’s parents, Stuart Brutnell and Maria Wood, said he was a caring and thoughtful young man who will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Mr Brutnell said: “He was an absolutely fantastic lad. He was selfless – he would do anything for anyone. He always enjoyed life and he really got on and did whatever he wanted to do.

“He was always such a happy boy and he had a great sense of humour.”

The former Highcliffe School pupil went on to study public services at college and was a member of both the air cadets and army cadets.

The youngster joined the army in September last year. He was completing the second phase of his training in Bovington and had been assigned to the Blues and Royals.

His mother said he was a popular young man who had a wide range of interests including paragliding, camping and going to speedway races with his step-father Gary.

“He was lovely,” she said.

“He went to Wales with the cadets and got his silver wings, which he was very proud of – he phoned us from the top of Snowdonia to say that he had done it. He would try anything.”

She added: “He had a lot of friends. The college held a memorial service for him where everyone wrote what they would miss about him. Everyone loved him.”

Will’s funeral is being held at Church of St Mary the Virgin in Bransgore on Thursday, March 5, at 11am. His parents said it will be a celebration of his life and have requested flowers from family members only. Donations can be made to the Royal British Legion via Moody’s Funeral Directors.