TRIBUTES were paid today to a young teacher killed in a road crash on the outskirts of York.

David Ianto Lowndes, a chemistry teacher at Easingwold School, died when his Ford Fiesta was involved in a collision on the B1363, two miles north of Wigginton.

Mr Lowndes, 23, of Windsor Drive, Wigginton, York, was in his first year of teaching.

Originally from Liverpool, Mr Lowndes was a former student at the University of York and did his teacher training in the York area.

The fatal crash came only days before his 24th birthday.

School head teacher Carey Chidwick said Mr Lowndes' death was "a great loss, a tragic waste of a young life".

She said: "The school expresses its deep sorrow to David's family at their huge loss. David was very popular with all his colleagues and had already made a very big impression on staff and pupils."

Mrs Chidwick said all pupils taught or tutored by Mr Lowndes had been offered personal meetings, with "time outs" available for those worst affected.

"Colleagues are grieving for the loss of this young life and we have made provision for their welfare too," she added.

Mr Lowndes died at about 8.45am on Monday. Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses to the crash.

Anyone with any information should phone the police on 01723 509555.

He was the second young Wigginton man to die on North Yorkshire's roads in less than three weeks.

Last month, James David Parker, 20, of Barley View, died when his car span off the A19 near Crockey Hill and hit a tree.

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, June 11, 2003