A “MUCH-LOVED” and “talented” man who lived in a village near Machynlleth has lost his life after a horror crash on Saturday morning.

Guto Pugh, 21, of Pantperthog, was driving to his job at Bae Abermaw Hotel, Barmouth, when he was involved in a three-vehicle collision which killed him instantly.

A keen musician, Guto has been described by former band mates as a “gentle, lovely and talented person”.

A spokesperson for the Bangor University Brass Band, where Guto was studying, said: “[On Saturday] we lost a much-loved friend and colleague.

“The band is devastated by the news of Guto. Our heart goes out to his family at this tragic time.

“If you met Guto you’d know what a gentle, lovely and talented person he was. This is a great loss to the band, the university and the world.”

Cllr John Pughe Roberts, who represents Pantperthog, remembers Guto as “very well-liked young man” who will be “dearly missed”.

“He was very well known and people were very, very fond of him,” Cllr Roberts said.

“This is a terrible tragedy and Guto has been taken far too early.

“I offer his family and friends my sincerest condolences, the community is reeling.”

Since Guto’s death on Saturday, a community fund-raiser has collected nearly £4,000, a testament to the 21-year-old’s popularity. The fundraisers wanted to help raise money towards funeral costs.

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