The family of a "wonderful son" - killed when he was hit by car after stepping off a bus - have spoken of their loss and led calls for safety improvements on the road where he died.

Robert Prescott, 38, of Birchfield Close, Coulsdon, suffered fatal head injuries as he was struck crossing the road on the way home from work last week.

The crash happened just metres from the spot in Coulsdon Road where teaching assistant Julie Maudsley was fatally hit by a car in August.

Robert's dad John, 65, of Cordrey Gardens, paid tribute to a lively and popular son who had also been his closest friend, adding he hoped the "very dangerous" road would be looked at.

John, who returned from holiday to news of his son's death, said: "He was a wonderful son. He will be so missed.

"He was very friendly and popular and well-liked by everyone. He knew more of the neighbours than I did."

Robert, a shop assistant, lived alone near to his dad's house, which he moved out of eight years ago.

John, who is separated from Robert's mum Rita Short and now remarried, said: "He still came around to visit most weeks. We got on with him very well - he was my best mate. The perfect son."

Friends also paid glowing tributes Robert, a train enthusiast and devout Catholic said to rarely miss mass at St Aidan's Parish Church in Portnalls Road.

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John Prescott

Father Josef Doetsch, the church's priest, said: "He welcomed people into the church at 9am on a Sunday, gave out hymn books and so on.

"He was very friendly, greatly loved by everybody. He was always cheerful and got on well with everybody. The Sunday before he died he shook my hand and said, 'see you next Sunday, Father.' That wasn't to be.

"He is a great loss to us all."

Former colleagues at Marks and Spencer in North End, where Robert had worked for nearly 20 years and was returning from on the night he died, said the 38-year-old had been "always laughing and joking."

Janet Hay, 53, said: "He was a very fun person, the heart and soul of the Christmas parties. He was a character. He was always very happy to help everybody, nothing was a problem for him. 

"When we heard the news we were all so sad. I couldn't believe it. He will be well-missed by a lot of people."

Sharon Lawrence, the store's manager, added: "Our thoughts are with Robert's family during this very sad time.

"Robert was an integral and popular member of our team who will be missed by his friends, colleagues and customers who have gotten to know him over the years."

Robert's death reignited concerns about road safety among Coulsdon Road residents and sparked pledges from councillors to push for action.

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Flowers have been laid at the scene of Robert's death as police appeal for witnesses

Coun Terry Lenton, for East Coulsdon, said she had previously called for a zebra crossing at the spot, at the junction with Cearn Road, where Robert and 51-year-old Ms Maudsley where hit.

She said: "We are going to hold a meeting with council officers to see if there is anything we can do and there are several things we are looking at.

"There is concern that parking along the road contributes and there is also the question of street lights, which aren't due to be replaced until next year."

Alison Tucker, 43, who lives metres from the scene of the fatal crashes with her husband Lee and four children, said: "You have to walk right out into the road at that bus stop to see whether anything is coming. We need to do something. It is such a worry."

Police appealed for witnesses of the crash, at 8.08pm on Tuesday, October 8, to call 0208 285 1574.

The driver of the silver Ford Fiesta that stuck Robert stopped at scene. No arrests were made.

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