Flood of tributes paid to popular Melksham teenager

The 19-year-old, of Baldham, Seend, died just before 3pm on Saturday after the red Citroen Saxo he was a passenger in collided with a van coming in the opposite direction in Forest Lane, Melksham. He died at the scene and driver Dan Palmer, one of Max’s best friends, was rushed by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital with a punctured lung, broken ribcage and broken pelvis.

Mr Palmer, 22, from Bowmans Court, Melksham, was in intensive care until Sunday after having extensive surgery. A spokesman for the hospital described his condition yesterday as critical but stable.

Max was a popular member of a large group of friends, some he had met through his time at George Ward School, others he got to know through his hobbies and interests.

Many have spoken of happy memories of things they did together, too many for some friends to even narrow down to a favourite, “there’s too many, you would fill the whole paper” said 17-year-old Brandon Mills.

He added: “He was one of those kids whenever you’re feeling down you go to him. He was like family to everyone and always by your side.”

It is Max’s smile and positivity that George Quinn will remember him most for: “Every time I saw him he would always have a smile on his face, always be laughing and cheerful.”

Max went to Seend Church of England Primary School before going to George Ward in Melksham.

Head Stephen Clark of Melksham Oak Community School, formerly George Ward, said: “We will remember Max with fondness. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

He also spent a year at Wiltshire College’s Chippenham campus studying engineering. Stephanie Stephenson, director of student services, said: “Max was a lovely student to teach and he had a good group of friends around him. He was with us for a year, but we will always have fond memories of him.”

He was working as a labourer while he decided what career path he wanted to take and lived with father Brian Atkinson, 54.

He was also very close to mum Nicky Lewis, 50, who also lives in Seend, and his 23-year-old brother Dan Lewis who has been in London doing a work placement as part of his university degree.

Max’s family said on Wednesday: “We would like to say a heartfelt thankyou from all of Max’s family to everyone who has been in touch to provide support, love and kindness to us at this terrible time.

“We would particularly like to express our gratitude to all of Max’s friends who have kept vigil for him since the terrible accident on Saturday afternoon. We are so appreciative of this expression of love for Max, which demonstrates just how incredibly popular he was and how he touched so many people in such a profound way in his short life.

“Max was hugely loved by all of his family and his friends. Our lives will never be the same again and we will miss and love him always.”

Best friend Jordan Phillips has spent every evening at Forest Lane since Max died, even sleeping there overnight.

“It’s not like you can describe him, it’s just Max” he said. “A lot of people will miss him but it’s not going to leave a hole in their life as much as it is me.

“It shouldn’t be like this, I just want to wake up. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s a cruel world.”

Max’s cousin Ashley O’Neill, 28, of Chippenham, wrote a heartfelt tribute to Max. He said: “No words can describe the way I and many others feel at losing you, our hearts are broken. Seeing just how many people have laid flowers and the beautiful things your friends have said about you being so kind, fun to be around and having such an infectious smile is big source of comfort.

“I never knew just how many friends you had, but it’s clear that you were loved by so many – everyone I speak to in Wiltshire seems to know you and they all have good things to say.

“As you always said, live for life, and it’s clear that is exactly what you did. You packed in more in 19 years than many do in an entire lifetime and you will be missed so so much.”