A popular teenager who battled a life-threatening illness was killed in a car crash on Monday night.

Sam Deacon, 19, of Melrose Avenue, Borehamwood, who suffered from cystic fibrosis and had previously overcome meningitis and pneumonia, was on his way to Burnt Oak when the accident happened. He was driving his black Ford Fiesta southbound along the A1 in Mill Hill, between Sterling Corner and Apex Corner, shortly after 10pm.

Police say the car was changing lanes when it overturned, and they do not believe any other vehicles were involved.

He was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, but died later that night.

A post mortem at Finchley Mortuary on Wednesday morning found the cause of death to be head injuries.

Three other people were travelling in the car at the time of the incident. Two teenage girls were taken to Barnet Hospital but have since been discharged and another man sustained minor injuries.

His mother, Lisa, said: “Everybody loved Sam because he was such a special boy. Everybody is heartbroken. Our hearts will never mend.

“He would never ever want to hurt anybody. He was so kind and just wanted to help everybody.

“He loved life and it’s such a waste that he’s been taken from us. I can’t believe it. It’s like a dream. We loved him so much.”

Sam, a lifelong Chelsea FC fan and keen fisherman, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was five months old and was taking 60 tablets a day to manage its effects. He also battled meningitis when he was 15 months old and pneumonia when he was nine.

Mrs Deacon said: “He has gone through so much in his little life. He was dealing really well with it all. He has always been a fighter.

“If he hadn’t had cystic fibrosis he wouldn’t have been Sam. He cared about everybody and was so loving. Everyone said he was a smiler, he had such a cheeky face.”

Sam’s father, Cliff, with whom Sam was working as an electrician since leaving Hertswood School three years ago, added: “I know everyone says their kids are good kids, but he genuinely was a good kid. He always had time for people.”

On Tuesday about 200 friends drove along the stretch of road where the incident took place, before placing candles at the scene and playing Sam’s favourite song, Stay With Me by DJ Ironik.

Mr Deacon said: “His friends have been unbelievable. All day they have been here. They have already had tattoos done with his name and date of birth on. We are so grateful to them all. All of them have been brilliant.”

Hundreds of friends have posted comments on a specially constructed page on social networking website Facebook.

One message, by Kerri Louise Woods, read: “Sam can’t believe u gone, it just doesn’t seem real. I’ll still be walking down the village waiting to hear your car go past with music playin. U always had a hard shell around you but when it came to your family and friends you had a heart of gold. You are truly gona be missed by everyone. RIP sleep peacefully.”

A statement from Parkside Primary School in Aycliffe Road, where Sam was a former pupil said: “Members of staff at Parkside Primary School who knew Sam, have been both shocked and saddened by the tragedy.

“Sam was a lovely boy, very popular and full of life. He was very active and always tried his hardest at everything in school. He had very supportive and devoted parents and our thoughts and sympathy go out to them, and the rest of the family at this time.”

Jan Palmer Sayer, headteacher of Hertswood School, in Thrift Farm Lane, said: “Staff and students at Hertswood were shocked and upset to hear the news. Many of them knew Sam very well, he was extremely popular — a lovely chap who had lots of friends.”

His former form tutor Claire Travess added: “Despite his own personal battle with cystic fibrosis, Sam always had a smile on his face and he never gave up. On a dull day, he brightened up the whole room.”

His funeral will be held at Garston Crematorium on October 7, at 11.20am. Mourners are asked not to wear black and to donate money to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust rather than give flowers.

The Collision Investigation Unit has appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to call 0208 998 5319.

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