DANIEL Thorne, the 25-year-old Chepstow man who was killed in a road accident in Cardiff on Friday night, has been described him as a "devoted rugby fan" by his grieving family, writes Keith Fairbank.

Daniel had been in the Walkabout bar with teammates of Chepstow RFC in central Cardiff, watching Wales' rugby team come from behind to defeat Fiji 11-10.

But on leaving the venue he was knocked down by a number 49 bus and suffered fatal injuries at the junction of St Mary Street and Wood Street, at 11.21pm.

His parents Judith and Richard, and his sister Rachael, issued a joint statement yesterday. They said: "Daniel was a much- loved son, brother and grandson, and was immensely popular with family and friends.

"He was a devoted rugby fan and player, which was a major part of his life. "We were extremely proud of what Dan achieved in his short life. He will always live on in our hearts."

And they added poignantly: "Goodbye 'Little Man'".

Daniel was a former pupil of Chepstow Comprehensive School. He went on to gain a First Class honours degree in mineral surveying at the University of Glamorgan before working for Hanson Aggregates.

But Dan was most loved in the community as a scrum half at Chepstow RFC, for whom he played for seven years.

Police appeal for witnesses to Friday's accident to contact the Roads Policing Unit on 029 2052 7226 or the main switchboard on 029 2022 2111.

See sport for more