'Brilliant' mathematician George Beresford dies after being hit by BMW in Purley

“Brilliant”: George Beresford graduated from the University of Exeter last year

A "brilliant" young graduate died in hospital three days after being knocked down by a BMW near his home.

George Beresford, 21, completed his mathematics degree at the University of Exeter last year and is understood to have started his first job in the City just a fortnight before the crash.

Today, police issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to the accident in Ingleboro Drive, Purley, yards from the home he shared with his parents and two younger siblings, at 1.27am on February 7.

It is believed that his relatives were abroad at the time of the accident and Mr Beresford was kept on life support in hospital for three days to give them time to return to be by his bedside.

Friends and relatives paid tribute to Mr Beresford on social media, where he was described as a “fine young man” whose “death has shattered the world”.

His mother Shaena posted a photograph of herself with her husband Mark at their son’s graduation last year, with the words: “He is an incredible son and always will be.”

Neighbour Harsha Evangeli, 48, a teacher, said: “He was only 21, it’s so sad. We’ve been neighbours for a long time and they’re just such a loving, close family. He was a lovely gentle guy. He was so sweet. It’s just tragic — I don’t think anyone can take it in.”

One schoolfriend, who studied medicine at King’s College London, wrote: “He’ll forever remain one of the finest young men to grace this earth. So cruelly stolen at such a tender age, I can only cherish the times I was so privileged to share.

“A son to be proud of, a big brother to look up to with a brother and sister that adore you, but also a friend and brother to so many more.” Dozens of bouquets of flowers have been placed at the scene of the accident, 300 yards from his home.

Witnesses said Mr Beresford was lying in the road while paramedics tried to save him. Bob Parsons, 72, a retired Met police officer, said: “It was the middle of the night. We looked out and a man was lying in the road. He was attended by two ambulances and the air ambulance came with a doctor. There was nothing they could do.

“Paramedics worked on him on the road for about half an hour, then put him in an ambulance and put him in the helicopter and took him to St George’s Hospital. His relatives came back from abroad and they kept him alive in hospital until the Wednesday. Then they turned the life-support machines off.

“He’d just started work. He’d been working in banking. He’d done his A-levels, gone to university and been working in the City for about two weeks.”

The driver of the BMW was arrested at the scene and bailed to return in June. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 020 8285 1574.

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