Ref. 30738-16A YOUNG family has spoken of their grief after losing a doting father following a car crash on the M4.

Father-to-be Luftim Toci, 23, died after his silver Nissan Primera car came off the motorway on Saturday between Junction 16 at West Swindon and Junction 17 at Chippenham.

And his fiance, Natasha Hutchings, 22, from Westlea, spoke of her grief after learning of Luftim's death from police.

She had been expecting him home when the crash occurred.

"I was frantic with worry and was ringing his mobile 40 or 50 times then the police turned up and told me what happened," she said.

"He was a lovely man. I never thought I would fall in love with someone who was not English but he was so clever and knew the world so well from his travels, it just brought us together.

"He wanted to settle here in Swindon, he had a family and he was very happy."

"Luftim was not my son Joshua's biological father but he doted on him and treated Joshua like his own son."

Ms Hutchings is expecting Luftim's first child and said he had been overjoyed when he first saw the pictures of the scans.

Luftim left Albania four and a half years ago to go travelling in Europe, heading to Greece and Italy before coming to the UK.

He had lived in Swindon for two and a half years.

"His English had really improved since I first met him. It was not brilliant but you could easily have a conversation with him," said Natasha.

According to Natasha, he was popular in the Albanian community and had many friends in Bristol and Oxford.

"I have had a lot of support from my family and the Albanian community and many of Luftim's friends," she said.

"I am sure he would not want to see me upset like this,

"And now I have to look to the future without him."

Luftim's body is due to be transported back to Albania next week, where his family will organise a burial service.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to the country and Natasha will not be going.

Luftim worked as a forklift operator at the South Marston Distribution Centre, based at Keypoint in South Marston, a distribution facility operating for Honda.

Luftim's car went from the fast lane of the westbound carriageway down an embankment some four miles from Junction 16.

Two of Luftim's friends were in the car and were treated in hospital for their injuries. One has since been released, while the other remains in intensive care.

The accident forced the closure of the road causing long delays.

Anthony Osborne