Crash Kills Popular Community Man

9:30am Friday 23rd June 2000

HUNDREDS of friends and family are expected to attend the funeral this weekend of a 24-year-old man from Oxhey who died after his car crashed into a tree early on Sunday morning.

Mr Milan Patel, of Field Road, died in Watford General Hospital from his injuries at about 11.30pm on Sunday.

The crash happened in Oxhey Lane in Carpenders Park, close to the Junction of By The Wood, shortly before 5am.

Mr Patel was driving a red Toyota Corolla towards Watford when, for unknown reasons, it left the road and hit the tree.

He lived with his parents and one of two older brothers, Vijay, 30, at M and M Newsagents in Field Road. His second brother, Kamlesh, 31, lives in Harrow.

Mr Patel, who had been a pupil at Bushey Hall School in London Road, Bushey, had been working in Ciro Citterio menswear shop in The Harlequin shopping centre, Watford, for nearly a year.

Mr Patel's father, Mr Mahendra Patel, 55, said: 'He was a nice, pleasant boy and very happy. The three boys never fought each other and always helped each other and always stuck together.

'Milan had lots of friends. It was amazing - so many boys and girls came to the hospital. I cannot believe all the people that have come to see us. On the first day, hundreds of people came and they continue to come.'

The family moved to Oxhey from Harrow and Wealdstone 12 years ago and have become a central part of the village community.

Vijay Patel said: 'Milan was very friendly. If he met someone, even if he didn't know them, he would say hello. Everyone round here knew him, if not by name then by face.

'He was a brilliant brother. I couldn't have asked for anything more from him. He would know before you had even asked him that something needed to be done. He wouldn't say 'later' - he would just go and do it.

'He would help mum and dad out a lot and he helped me a lot too. He had lots of friends and we are expecting lots of people at the funeral.'

Mr Patel enjoyed music, spending time with his friends, going to parties and having fun.

'He was a good boy, he didn't drink, or smoke or do drugs, but he would enjoy himself and made everyone laugh,' said his father.

'He made his mum laugh all the time. I am going to miss him a lot.'

Vijay added: 'It was such a shock. It hasn't sunk in and I don't think it ever will. You think he has just gone out and he'll be coming back soon.'

The funeral will take place at 12.15pm on Sunday at Golders Green Crematorium in Hoop Lane, Golders Green.

Donations are being accepted in place of flowers and will go to Famine Relief for India. Donations can be sent to Blackman Funeral Directors, 3 Thomson Road, Wealdstone, Middlesex, 020 8427 4587.