The Warwick community is mourning the loss of a 25-year-old man killed in a car crash on Wednesday evening.

Daniel Phillips was killed shortly before midnight when his vehicle veered off South Road, Devonshire, and crashed into a tree.

His death marks the 11th road fatality of 2009. Yesterday family friends paid tribute to a young man who was "loved by many".

Reverend Andrew Doughty of St. Mary's Church, Warwick, said: "We are all stunned and shocked by Daniel's death but are rallying round.

"He was a good young man and this is a sad loss to his family and to the community. Daniel was a very good son to his mother Janet and was a much loved member of our family, the Phillips family, and the Doughty family."

The minister said he had known Mr. Phillips, of Peak Lane, "all his life".

Although Ms Phillips was too upset to talk yesterday, Rev. Doughty said she was drawing strength from the Salvation Army, for whom she is a Sunday School teacher.

"The Salvation Army are wonderful at caring so they are giving her good support and prayer," said the minister.

Rev. Doughty described Mr. Phillips as a man of "many different talents", who had worked at various places of employment including Marks & Spencer and Tucker's Point.

"Daniel was a charming and intelligent person who was full of life," he said. "He was known and loved by many."

Another friend of the family, Randy Bean, described Mr. Phillips as "a lovely kid" who enjoyed playing football.

Mr. Bean, 60, grew up with the 25-year-old's father, the late Conrad Phillips. "He liked his sports and loved to play soccer," he said. "Everyone around here knew him. This is very sad."

Angel Nottingham, President of R.O.L.O. (Remembering Our Loved Ones), said: "On behalf of R.O.L.O. we would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Phillips.

"It is devastating that we are only in the month of August and already we are in double figures in terms of the number of deaths on the Island's roads."

Shadow Transport Minister Senator Michael Fahy also expressed his condolences.

He added: "This individual's untimely death in the prime of his life should be a wake-up call to all road users that such incidents can happen to anyone, anytime.

"Each of us has a responsibility to use Bermuda's roads safely and to use caution, care and courtesy whilst driving. Let's not have this year as the worst year for driving deaths."

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the accident.

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said: "It appears that around 11.55 p.m. on Wednesday Mr. Phillips was driving a car travelling east on South Road in Devonshire, near the junction with Brimstone Hill, when he lost control of the vehicle, collided with a wooden railing and then a tree.

"The car ended up in a nearby field. The Warwick man sustained serious injuries and was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance; however he was subsequently pronounced dead by an on-call physician at 12.20 a.m. Thursday.

"Mr. Phillips was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which was extensively damaged.

"The Bermuda Police Service would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

"Inquiries into this incident are underway."

Anyone with any information on the accident should contact PC Anthony Ricketts on 295 0011.