Tom Padden a talented 22 yr old local surfer (and former Welsh Junior Champion in 2009) was killed, along with his girlfriend Louise and dad Steve in a horrific car crash, late on Monday night on the M4.
Tom's mum, Suzanne and six month old baby Logan survived the crash.
The family were returning from a surf trip to Morocco and not too far from home when the crash happened.
At the moment, Police are saying that no other car was involved and it's thought that black ice may have been a contributing factor.
More on this story on BBC News.
It just goes to show how fragile life is and it really makes you think about your own priorities. I think as surfers we all tend to be a slightly mad bunch and go through life feeling slightly indestructible.
I guess it comes with the territory - you have to be a little unhinged to paddle out and surf big waves in the middle of winter, right?
But it's only when something like this happens that you stop and think; especially when you become a dad and have baby of your own to consider.
My thoughts are with the family and all of their close friends in Porthcawl at this difficult time.
Tom charging. Image by Peter Price:
I didn't know Tom personally but recognised him from the Welsh Surfing Championships that I filmed the year he won the Juniors, and from surfs at Rest Bay.
But from what I've read online so far, he sounded like a top bloke who will be sorely missed by his mates in the local line up and down at the Esp where he loved to charge those hollow lefts.
Nice picture tribute to Tom by local surf photographer Claire Beach on Facebook
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