FINAL farewells have been paid to a popular young athlete who died in a crash.

The funeral of 18-year-old Danny Evans, of Normanby Drive, Connah’s Quay, was held at the town’s St Mark’s Church yesterday.

Scores of friends and family members turned out to pay their last respects to Danny, who died when the car he was travelling in overturned on Sealand Road on February 15.

Danny, a Welsh champion high-jumper, left behind dad Mark, mum Debbie, 20-year-old brother Lee and sister Sophie-Melissa, 16.

His family described him as “a lovely person who could make friends anywhere”.

Debbie said: “I don’t know how we’re going to live without him. There will never be another one like Danny.”

The family collected donations for Deeside Athletics Club, of which Danny was a member, in his memory.

Hundreds of floral tributes were laid at the crash site by his many friends.

The church service was followed by a cremation at Blacon Crematorium.