MATCH ABANDONED AS SOCCER STAR DIES

By Grant Hodgson Grant.Hodgson@Mgn.Co.Uk, sundaymirror.co.uk 26/08/2007

Ray Jones (SM)

Devastated footballers called off a Championship game yesterday after a teammate was killed in a horror smash.

Talented England under-19 and Queens Park Rangers striker Ray Jones, 18, died when his VW Golf hit a double-decker bus.

Two 17-year-old passenger pals also died while two others, also 17, were injured in the East London pile-up in the early hours yesterday.

QPR's game at Burnley later yesterday was scrapped after teammates told bosses they were too upset to play. A QPR source said: "The club is in mourning following the tragic news."

The mum of Ray's injured pals, Miriam Magambo, said: "Ray died instantly. The whole thing is terrible." And family friend Yomi Onimole, 32, said: "He lived for football. Everyone is devastated."

Ray, who would have turned 19 on Tuesday, was at home in London because a foot injury had ruled him out of the Burnley clash.

The 6ft 4ins striker first signed for QPR at 15 and was called up to the England under-19 squad after scoring six goals last season.