tragic news from qpr

#31 ray jones r.i.p.
from the bbc:

"QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash

QPR are mourning the loss of Ray Jones. QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident. The Championship club postponed Saturday's match at Burnley following the death of the young forward. A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning." The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene. The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in High Street South, East Ham. Police confirmed Jones was one of three people to have been killed in the collision between a black Volkswagen Golf and a double-decker bus. One of the two other fatalities was also pronounced dead at the scene, while the third was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he later died. The car's two remaining occupants were also taken to hospital and one is in a serious condition and the other is described as walking wounded. Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time Police are awaiting details on whether anyone on the bus was injured and are appealing for any witnesses. QPR's statement continued: "Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time. "The club will be making no further comment at this stage and we ask you to respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker."

Jones, who last season earned a call-up to the England Under-19 squad, was set to miss the match against Burnley because of a foot injury. He joined the club at the age of 15 and made his professional debut against Watford in April 2006. Jones went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions last term - scoring six goals. QPR rejected a £200,000 bid from Colchester for Jones at the end of last season. He had yet to feature this season but was highly rated by QPR and had also attracted interest from Premier League clubs. But Jones, who would have been 19 on Tuesday, signed a three-and-a-half year deal with QPR in January. Last year QPR were struck by tragedy when youth team player Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death outside his school at the age of 15."