Tributes paid after soldier dies in crash

TRIBUTES have poured in for a Plymouth soldier who was killed in a motorcycle crash last Sunday, August 31.

- By ALEX DRISCOLL

At around 5.05pm that day, police were called to Torwood Street, in Torquay, to a three vehicle crash involving a black Audi Q5, a grey Ford Ranger and a blue Suzuki SV 650 motorcycle.

The rider of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Tributes on social media have named him as 24-year-old Benjamin Rafton, known as Ben, from Hampshire.

A tribute posted on behalf of Ben's mother, Somaya, said: "Somaya has lost her beautiful precious son Benjamin Rafton to a horrific motorcycle incident. Jake, Harry and Tom have also lost their little brother. Their wives have lost their brother in law and, their children, an uncle.

"Ben was a much loved son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson and cousin. He was a lad with a cheeky smile, who loved to make people laugh."