Friend pays tribute to 'brilliant' Jeremy Prescott killed in lightning on Brecon Beacons
The youth worker from Telford who was killed by a lightning strike in the Brecon Beacons was today described as a "beautiful" man who worked tirelessly in his community.
Jeremy Prescott was manning a check point on the mountain range in south Wales as part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme activity.
He was one of two men killed in separate lightning strikes on the mountainside on Sunday. Two others were hospitalised.
Mark Jones got to know Mr Prescott, of Little Dawley, when they volunteered together as special constables.
Mr Jones today spoke of his "complete shock" at Mr Prescott's death, describing him as a "brilliant" and "beautiful" person who would do anything for anyone.
The 51-year-old, known to family and friends as Jez, fought to get a skate park built in Malinslee and Mr Jones said this was typical of the kind of man he was.
"I met him through the police force when we both volunteered to be special constables around nine years ago. We stayed in touch but over the last year we lost contact, " said the 39-year-old, from Broseley.
"It fills me with sadness to think that I could have took out five minutes to go and see him over the last 12 months.
"I found out he had died through the news on the TV. It was a complete shock. It's such a unusual way to die. He was a beautiful person.
"I remember he loved seeing squirrels and campaigned to get the skate park built."
Mr Prescott had been leading children on a Duke of Edinburgh Award gold medal expedition on the mountain range when he was hit by lightning.
Two Army and Royal Marine cadet instructors battled for 45 minutes to try to save his life but the father-of-two died on the Corn Du peak of Pen y Fan.
Mr Prescott had worked for Telford & Wrekin Council for 14 years and was carrying out his part-time youth work for the council when he was killed in a sudden storm at a checkpoint on the group's route.
More tributes were today pouring in online for the popular man, who leaves behind his wife Samantha, 51, and sons Luke, 31, and Josh, 25.
Kellie Thompson posted: "Such sad news! My thoughts are with the family."
Carolyn Hornby added: "My son had some great memories of his three years with Jez and DoE."
