TRIBUTES have been paid for a Royal Navy rating who has died in a road accident only 24 hours before he was due to join his first submarine.

Craig Samuels, 22, of Westwick, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, had recently completed shore training on a submarine course at HMS Raleigh, at Torpoint, in Cornwall.

He was due to embark on the submarine HMS Spartan at Faslane, on the River Clyde, in Scotland, yesterday, to begin his initial tour of sea duty.

He was killed when his car left the A67 and hit trees near Piercebridge, about eight miles from his home, on Sunday.

No other vehicle was involved and police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Mechanic Samuels, who was classed as a Marine Engineering Mechanic, had told friends he was keen to serve on submarines.

A Royal Navy spokesman said yesterday that Mechanic Samuels was regarded as a very promising sailor and that he had done extremely well on his course.

Commander David Pond, commanding officer of HMS Raleigh, said, "It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Marine Engineering Mechanic Samuels.

"He was a young man of considerable ability, who was just setting out on a promising career in the Royal Navy.

"He was greatly looking forward to joining his first submarine.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this difficult time."