Alexander Ward

Alexander Ward will be remembered as being "full of smiles", his grieving family said.

The 23-year-old was cycling along the B4077 near Ford in Gloucestershire on Sunday, July 8, when he was involved in a collision with a horse box lorry.

An air ambulance arrived with paramedics on board but Alex was declared dead at the scene.

He leaves behind his mum Ute Ward, dad Peter Ward and younger brother Christopher.

Alex was born in Cambridge and went to school at Teversham Church of England Primary School where he finished top of his class, and he went on to The Netherhall School achieving the highest grades.

At Hills Road Sixth Form College he finished with straight As at A level and read Avionics Systems Engineering at Bristol University; achieving a first class honours in his Master's degree.

His mum Ute Ward said: "Alex grew up always curious, learning and smiling. Not only was he a high achiever, his honest and out-going nature won him numerous friends."

Alex also leaves behind his girlfriend of seven years Megan Carpenter. Through all this time they supported each other while studying and working in Cambridge, London, Bristol and Cheltenham.

His brother Christopher said: "Having lived in the vicinity of Cambridge Airport Alex had always wanted to fly.

"He took up gliding when he was 14 and flew solo on his 16th birthday which saw him make it into the local newspaper in Cambridge."

His father Peter added: "Alex went on to win several awards and he flew competitively at a national level. In 2011 he won the British Gliding Association Spitfire Trophy for coming top of the under 25's national gliding ladder."

His skills and passion led him to GE Aviation at Bishop's Cleeve near Cheltenham where he has been working for almost a year since he graduated.

His girlfriend Megan said: "He really enjoyed living in the Cotswolds, especially cycling in the area; carrying on from cycling in Bristol and Cambridge.

"He had recently taken part in the London to Brighton charity cycle ride with colleagues from GE. We did have plans to cycle together from Vienna to Budapest this summer."

His dad recalled: "Alex was humorous, full of smiles and very chatty. He would talk and often wouldn't want a telephone conversation or an after dinner chat to end."

Mum Ute said: "We are all numb and completely devastated by Alex's sudden death. We don't know what happened, but what we do know is it that all of us, his family, friends and colleagues, have lost someone special and a light no longer shines in our lives."