A CONVOY of trucks has come together to pay tribute to a “highly valued colleague and friend”.

On August 25, Tom Watson was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the A303 near Andover.

The recovery driver from Southampton had stopped in order to help someone that had broken down when he was involved in the crash in which two others also died.

Now friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the 30-year-old with a convoy of trucks.

Meeting at the eastbound Rownhams services on Monday morning, the convoy headed onto the M3, up towards the A34 and past the crash site on the A303.

Beeping their horns as they went, the convoy headed up to Andover, turning around when they got there and heading back down to the Ageas Bowl in Hedge End.

The trucks were then parked up and a coach was provided to take those who were attending to the church service.

In a statement from RD Avery Ltd, the company Tom had been working for for just under two years, colleagues said: “Tom was a highly valued colleague and friend and brought a smile and sunshine to everyone he met.

“He loved his job and helping people and was a truly exceptional person. It was an honour to have known him and have had him as part of the Avery family.

“Needless to say, the entire team are devastated but our immediate thoughts are with his wife and family and all those directly affected by the incident.”

Daily Echo: A convoy of trucks was put together in tribute to recovery driver, Tom Watson. Photo by: Gary Baker.

The crash involved a Vauxhall Astra, a Mercedes food delivery van, an HGV and a DAF recovery truck.

The HGV driver, a 38-year-old man from Donnington, Shropshire was arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs and causing death by dangerous driving.

He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Now a Gofundme page has been set up by Tom’s colleagues to help his family with living and funeral costs.

So far £9,665 has been raised, surpassing the £2,000 which was originally set as a target.

Ray Avery, the owner of the company said: “He was a great guy. This man was exceptional and his attitude, his willingness, his has happiness, he ticked every box.”

The GoFundMe pafe set up for Tom's family can be viewed here.