Family and friends of a graduate who died after he was hit by a car metres from his home have paid tribute to a “gorgeous boy” and “great friend”.

George Beresford, 21, a former pupil at John Fisher School, died three days after being hit by a BMW yards from his family home in Buttermere Gardens, Riddlesdown, earlier this month.

It is believed that his family were abroad at the time of the accident and he was kept on life support in hospital for three days to family members time to return to be by his bedside.

Dozens of bouquets of flowers have been left at the scene of the collision in Ingleboro Drive.

RELATED: Man killed after being hit by a car in Purley named as 21-year-old George Beresford

Mr Beresford was a pupil at John Fisher School in Purley from 2005 to 2012. He completed A levels in mathematics, physics and business studies before going on to study a maths degreee at the University of Exeter. He graduated last year.

In outpouring of grief on social media, friends and relatives paid tribute to Mr Beresford as a “great friend” who “made an impact to anyone who knew you”.

His mother, Shaena Beresford, posted a photo of the family of five holding his hand at his hospital bed, which she described as “our last family photo”. In another post she said her son would be “that brightest star”.

Philip McCullagh, headteacher at John Fisher School, paid tribute to a former pupil “tried to do his best in all aspects”.

He said: “The close knit John Fisher School community was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of one of its former students. “George was a typical John Fisher student who performed well academically and tried to do his best in all aspects during his time at the School.”

A friend, who teaches at St Marys Infant School in Carshalton, wrote on Facebook: “George you have been taken so soon from us. May you watch over us all now that your in heaven with God.

“Friend, brother and son, you made an impact to anyone who knew you. I will see you soon, just make sure you save me a place. Miss you so much.”

Another said: “No words. The world is a worse place without you George.”

On Saturday police issued an appeal for witnesses to anyone who saw the crash, which happened at about 1.27am on February 7.

A witness who found Mr Beresford lying in the road following the collision said he had been kept on life support until his family could be at his bedside.

Bob Parsons, 72, told the Evening Standard: “It was the middle of the night. We looked out and a man was lying in the road. He was attended by two ambulances and the air ambulance came with a doctor. There was nothing they could do.

“Paramedics worked on him on the road for about half an hour, then put him in an ambulance and put him in the helicopter and took him to St George’s Hospital. His relatives came back from abroad and they kept him alive in hospital until the Wednesday. Then they turned the life-support machines off.”

The driver of the BMW was arrested at the scene and bailed to return in June. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 020 8285 1574.

Anyone who would like to pay tribute to George Beresford can call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6307 or email andrea.downey@london.newsquest.co.uk