SALISBURY Rugby Club players are mourning the sudden death of one of their up-and-coming young players who was killed in an accident in Somerset.

Alex Edwards, who was just 18 and enjoying his first season in senior rugby with the Castle Road club, was killed as he walked along a pavement in Yeovil Road, Tintinhull, with two friends.

His death is the third tragedy to strike the club this season.

Earlier in the year, club members Reece Corcoran and Pete Rudorf both died in tragic circumstances.

Alex, whose parents live in Somerset, had celebrated Salisbury's victory against Ivel Barbarians at Yeovil before going on to a school reunion at his old school King's College, Bruton.

He was walking along a pavement when he and his two friends were struck by a car. Alex died later in hospital, one friend was seriously injured while the third friend escaped relatively unhurt.

On Saturday, Salisbury's second team observed a minute's silence before the start of their game at Chippenham in Alex's memory.

Neil Tonge, a club member and close family friend, said Alex had been a popular player in the United set up.

He said: "Everyone at the rugby club is deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy and is anxious to pass on their condolences to his family at this sad time."