Art student dies in road accident

8:19pm Tuesday 15th January 2008

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AN ARTIST hearalded as one of the country's brightest young animators has died in an accident as he walked through an upmarket area of London.

Steven Farrimond, 22, of Millwood Close, Withnell Fold, was in collision with a green Mercedes 4x4 in Knightsbridge early on Saturday.

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He was pronounced dead at the scene, close to the Royal College of Art, where he had been studying animation since October last year.

His devastated parents, Ken and Jen Farrimond, were informed of his death by phone at 4.15am on Saturday.

They have issued a statement on behalf of their close-knit family.

It said: "Steven was a dearly loved and very precious part of our family.

"He was a thoughtful, kind, gentle, funny and creative person who will be greatly missed by us and all who knew him.

"But we as a family have the strong consolation of knowing that Steven had genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore know with certainty that he is now with his Lord and saviour."

Steven had two sisters, Nicola, 29 and Rachel, 27, and two brothers, Jon, aged 25 and Paul, 21, and three nieces and nephews, Aaron, six, Abigail, two, and four-month-old Sarah.

Mr Farrimond said his son, a former pupil of Withnell Fold Primary School, St Michael's High School, Chorley, and Runshaw College, had had a promising future.

He had graduated with a BA Honours in illustration and animation from Manchester Metropolitan University before going on to the Royal College, which has described him as "one of the brightest students in the country."

He was known to his pals as Vince because of his love of the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. He had recently met Quentin Blake, the illustrator for much of Roald Dahl's work and also admired Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit.

His website called 'vincent's-garage' features examples of his work including his dream diary.

Mr Farrimond who travelled to London to identify the body on Saturday and again on Monday, said Steven carried his sketchpad everywhere and was always sketching.

He added: "He was such a modest lovely person, so inspirational and unassuming."

He said the family had received calls from people all over the country, with people telling them what an impact meeting Steven had had on them.

He said the family were taking comfort from their faith and added: "It's just so gratifying that he was such a lovely guy."