A 15-year-old killed in an accident on a country road had just returned from the holiday of a lifetime to celebrate his father's 50th birthday.

Less than 24 hours after arriving home at Camberlot Hall, Camberlot Road, Upper Dicker, Jonathan Hatton was killed while

riding pillion on a friend's bike.

The accident happened in Cold Harbour Road, Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, at 10.15 pm on Tuesday when the bike was involved in a collision with a Mercedes saloon and a parked Mercedes van.

Jonathan had returned from a family holiday in Gran Canaria the previous night. He and his parents, grandparents and sister had decided to spend Christmas and New Year

in the sun. It was a triple

celebration as his father, Nigel, was 50 on Christmas Day. Mr Hatton, a house master at St Bede's School, where the family live, said last night. "I find it hard to believe that Jonathan is no longer with us.

"He had a holiday of a lifetime in which he tried everything, paragliding, water sports, table tennis. You name it he did it. He entered all the competitions at the complex where were staying.

"He was a very popular boy. When he returned he wanted to see his friends. He saw a friend in Eastbourne and then when he came home phoned another friend to come and play on his computer."

Jonathan's 16-year-old pal arrived on his 50cc motorbike. They had been playing on the computer all evening when Jonathan realised he had left a computer disc at a friend's house.

The teenager gave Jonathan a lift to the friend's home just down the road.

It was while they were returning that the accident occurred. Jonathan died at the scene.

The young motorcyclist was also injured and taken to Eastbourne District Hospital, where he is recovering. The driver of the Mercedes was uninjured.

Jonathan was a pupil at Ringmer Community College where he was studying for his GCSEs.

He was a good at sports and had played football for the Old Town Boys and Hailsham.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the accident to get in touch with Polegate traffic division on 0845 60 70 999.

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