By Julie Morgan and Daniel Cattanach

Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 16 April 2008

TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the victims of an horrific car accident in west Cumbria over the weekend.

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Horror: Rescue services at the scene of the A595 crash on Saturday night

Andrew Jonathan Pattinson, 23, of Jericho Road, Whitehaven, died when his Vauxhall Astra burst into flames after colliding with a Ford Fiesta travelling in the opposite direction on the A595 at Moota, near Cockermouth, at 8pm on Saturday.

Described as a “dearly loved son” by his parents Jonathan and Valerie Pattinson, of Chatsworth Drive, Red Lonning, and a “much loved brother” to his sister Gemma, he had recently become a father to a girl, Leona, who he called “his little princess”.

Yesterday, Neil McAvoy, rugby secretary at Hensingham amateur rugby league club, paid tribute to Mr Pattinson, who had played for the club since he was a child.

Known as Patty or Patch, “because of a missing piece of hair’’, he said hooker Andrew was a “true character’’.

Mr McAvoy added: “He played in every age group from the under-eights through to the open age scene.

“His amateur career spanned 14 years and in this time he represented the Cumbria Knights under-11s in a curtain raiser to the Wembley Cup Final in 1997.

“Andrew also represented Copeland in the service area trials at under-16s level.’’

Mr McAvoy said that after breaking into Hensingham’s first team he regularly donned the number nine shirt.

“Patty was a keen golfer, but fortunately for Hensingham it came second best to the game of rugby league,’’ he added.

Three members of the same family; Agnes Patricia Graham, 52, of Trumpet Road, Cleator Moor, her daughter Kathryn Graham, 22, of Penzance Street, Moor Row, and her sister Mary Kennedy, 53, of Crossings Close, Cleator Moor, were all killed in the red Ford Fiesta.

The Fiesta’s 21-year-old front seat passenger suffered serious injuries. She has been named as Claire Edwards, of Lowca and is also part of the same extended family.

Her condition was described yesterday as being critical but stable by staff at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Two occupants of another car involved in the smash – a gold Chrysler Neon – managed to escape from their burning vehicle with minor injuries.

Police officers are urging anyone who saw the crash or any of the vehicles being driven just before the collision to contact them on 0845 33 00 247.

In particular, they are keen to speak to anyone who saw the blue Vauxhall Astra being driven between Whitehaven and Moota before the collision, between 7.30pm and 8pm.

Mr Pattinson’s funeral service will be held at St John’s Church, Hensingham, next Tuesday at 1.45pm, followed by cremation at Distington Hall Crematorium.

DCattanach@cngroup.co.uk