An Epsom man who survived the ravages of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans three years ago has been killed in a road accident in South Korea.

Will Nelson, an experienced traveller, was working teaching English at a school in Seoul when he was knocked off his bicycle and killed instantly.

Will, 24, a graduate from Loughborough University, and a former pupil of Therfield School, Leatherhead, was dedicated to exploring the world and had already spent a period living and teaching in Japan before going on to South Korea.

Pages of tributes to him have been made on Facebook, the social networking site, including a tribute from Peter Henry, also from Epsom, who was rescued with Will from New Orleans three years ago.

Will’s parents Keith and Anne live in Fir Tree Road, Epsom Downs.

Mr Nelson said: “He had done a fair bit of travelling in his short life and he wanted to combine something useful with travelling.”

After leaving university Will completed a course to qualify him to teach English as a foreign language.

“He got on very well with people - they related well to him and he was always good with children - he could always get a good response from them. He was highly valued by the school where he was teaching,” said Mr Nelson Three years ago Will Nelson had been working for Camp America and decided to take a trip to New Orleans before returning home when Hurricane Katrina struck.

He and Mr Henry were travelling independently but met up during the horror of the hurricane and its aftermath when they were holed up in the Superdome and watched as civilisation broke down around them.

“It was mob mentality. Some things I saw I never want to see again,” said Will after his return home.

“They were bringing weapons into the dome and trying to shoot down rescue helicopters.”

He and other survivors huddled together in filth in overwhelming heat with little food or water while mayhem raged around them including murders, rape and suicides, until they were eventually rescued by the US army and evacuated to a hotel and then to Dallas for the journey home.

A memorial service has been held in Korea but the funeral will be held in this country so his friends can attend.

Peter Henry left a message on Facebook: “I still can’t believe it is true and expect to see you in the slug [Slug and Lettuce pub] in Epsom - hurling a bit of sarcasm at each other - sharing a pint or two, going over travel stories and the infamous New Orleans.

“You are someone who never deserved a bad thing to happen to them - a great bloke.”

• To leave your tributes click here.