Tributes paid to Welshpool man killed on family holiday in Cyprus
Charlie Birch was on holiday with his family when he was killed in a suspected deliberate hit-and-run.
Tributes have been paid to the Welshpool man who was killed in a hit-and-run while on a family holiday in Cyprus.
Thirty nine-year-old Charlie Birch died and his brother-in-law, Will Pritchard, was seriously injured in the crash at the weekend.
The incident is believed to have been deliberate and a man and a woman have been charged with premeditated murder.
Mr Pritchard, aged 32 and also from Welshpool, is said to be 'out of danger' and recovering in hospital.
Family holiday
The tragedy happened in the early hours of Sunday in the holiday resort of Paphos, where Mr Birch had been holidaying with his two daughters and mother, as well as his sister, Mr Pritchard and their children.
Media reports in Cyprus say there was an altercation in a bar in the Coral Bay area just outside the town prior to the hit-and-run.
Mr Birch and Mr Pritchard were later found on the Peyia-Ayios Georghios Road with serious injuries and Mr Birch was declared dead on arrival at Paphos hospital.
A car was later found abandoned, partly in the water, in the Ayios Georghios harbour.
Shock and disbelief
Welshpool councillor Graham Breeze has known both men much of their lives.
"Charlie was in school with one of my sons," the Powys County Councillor said.
"He had been on a family holiday in Cyprus with his two daughters, his mother, sister and her husband - Mr Pritchard - and their children. Charlie's father died about 12 months ago."
"Both Charlie and Will are very well known in the town and are both members of Welshpool Golf Club."
"I understand that Will is recovering from his injuries, thank goodness
"The news has cast a great shadow over the town.
"We had the transport festival in Welshpool this weekend and it should have been a time for enjoyment. But the terrible news spread fast on Sunday and everyone was in shock and disbelief."
Murder charges
A 35-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on Sunday.
Both were charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder. They were taken before the Paphos district court and remanded for eight days.
A spokesman for the British Foreign Office said: “We are offering advice and support to the family of a British man following his death in Cyprus and are in contact with the Cypriot authorities.”
Tributes to Mr Birch continue to be posted on social media.
One friend wrote: “Rest in Peace Charlie Birch, you were one of few people in Welshpool who I loved and adored!!!! You looked after me regardless of my many short comings!”
Another friend said: “Terrible news about Charlie Birch today RIP mate. My sincere condolences to all his family at this awful time.”
