PLAYERS at Tavistock Rugby Club have paid tribute to a former teammate who has been tragically killed in an industrial accident at work.

Carl Parsons, 34, died instantly in an incident involving a cherry picker and an overhead electricity cable at the biogas plant in Willand near Cullompton in mid Devon on Monday, June 1.

The father-of-two lived in Plymouth with his wife Amber-Leigh and daughters Peaches-Ava, six, and two-year-old Orlah-Rose.

The larger-than-life character had played for Tavistock Rugby Club for a number of seasons before moving two years ago to Plymstock Albion Oaks.

‘The news has been horrible to hear,’ said Tavistock player-coach Hammy Kerswill. ‘Carl took up rugby fairly late on in life and played for Tavistock for a number of seasons.

‘It is safe to say he was very much an eccentric and contagious character that you couldn’t help but be absorbed by.

‘He was certainly unique and could captivate an audience for lengthy periods of time with his fantastic ability to storytell.

‘The boys have been sharing memories and have been grateful for how much of the everyday camaraderie within the club was instigated from Carl’s antics.

‘We hope to give him the proper send off he deserves alongside Oaks in the not so distant future.

‘Our thoughts go out to (his wife) Amber-Leigh, his girls, family and friends and his rugby families. Carl you will be missed.’

His close friend, Tavistock player Ash Martin added his own tribute, saying: ‘I am really glad we met and became so close. I loved the time and fun memories we had together. I am sad it’s ended so soon. I will never forget you Carlos.’

The tragedy occurred on Monday, June 1 on the Willand Biogas site where Carl worked.

Police were called to the site following reports that two men operating a cherry picker had been severely injured when it collided with an overhead electricity cable.

Carl died instantly while the other man, aged 32, was taken to hospital.

The incident is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.

His family have paid tribute to Carl, who grew up in Plymouth, saying he was ‘a devoted daddy to Peaches-Ava and Orlah-Rose, who were his life’.

‘He managed to make so many beautiful, fun, loving memories in such a short time, for them to cherish. He was the most loving and devoted husband to Amber-Leigh and the best step-dad to Lilie-Mae. Life will never be the same,’ they added.

‘He was able to get on with anybody. A proper joker. He lit up any room he walked into, he made so many friends.’