In a devastating turn of events early Sunday morning, four young men were tragically killed when their vehicle struck a tree off the A436 at Ullenwood near Cheltenham. The victims, identified as Andrei Tudorov, Lyuben Gogov, Narcis Titianu, and Ioan Toma, all in their early twenties, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Andrei Tudorov, an 18-year-old Romanian national, was visiting the UK on holiday. He was accompanied by his friends Lyuben Gogov, also 20, from Bulgaria, and Romanians Narcis Titianu and Ioan Toma, both 20, who had been residing in Gloucester. The group was travelling in a black Renault Clio when the accident occurred shortly before 2 am.
The grief-stricken families have begun paying heartfelt tributes to their lost sons. Iolanda Tudorov, Andrei’s mother, remembered her son as an angelic presence, destined for a career in law enforcement, who left “an ocean of sadness” behind. “He was a warm and loving soul, a good brother, an angel who took flight much too soon,” she lamented.
Lyuben Gogov’s parents recalled their son’s “everlasting smile” and the joy he brought into their lives, describing the loss as one of the hardest to endure. Narcis Titianu’s family highlighted his role as the cherished youngest sibling who brought “boundless love and joy” to all who knew him. Ioan Toma was remembered by his family as a “beacon of light,” whose laughter and warmth could brighten the darkest spaces.
The local community, along with Gloucestershire County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Hodgkinson has called for urgent road safety improvements on the A436, a stretch notorious for its dangerous conditions and low visibility, particularly at the Ullenwood Manor Road junction. “This is very sad. The A436 is an extremely busy road which has had accidents and some fatalities over the last few years,” he stated on X, urging Gloucestershire Highways to take significant measures to enhance road safety.
As the community mourns, flowers have been placed at the crash site in memory of the four friends, whose lives were cut tragically short. The police have erected signs appealing for witnesses as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the horrifying crash.
