THE grieving family of a 30-year-old killed in a New Forest crash have paid tribute to a “fun-loving, warm-hearted” man.

William Cooper died after his Ford Transit van careered off the road at a notorious accident blackspot and hit a tree in the early hours of Sunday morning.

In a statement released through Hampshire Police, his family described him as ‘fun-loving’ and added: “He was a warm-hearted son, brother and uncle and will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.”

Mr Cooper, who lived at Mockbeggar Lane in Ibsley, near Ringwood, worked for Bournemouth-based boiler installation company Glow Green.

He was driving on the A338 between Fordingbridge and Ringwood when the accident happened at 4.30am and police have since issued an appeal for information.

Officers are particularly keen to speak to the occupants of a black or dark-coloured vehicle believed to have stopped at the scene to help. They left before police arrived.

Residents said there have been at least six serious crashes there in the past nine years.

Rosemary Jeff said: “We have lived here for 20 years and there’s been no end of trouble.”

Chris Taylor added: “There need to be signs warning people it is a blackspot.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Adrienne Jerram in the Serious Collision investigation Team on 101 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.