A father-of-two died in a horrific crash near the Purley Way after being flung from his van while he was taking his son to school.

Sinnadurai Balasundram, 49, was struck by a Mini travelling in the opposite direction along Ampere Way just after 8am on Monday.

His 14-year-old son was knocked unconscious in the collision which claimed the life of the Tamil South Croydon shopkeeper.

Mr Balasundram’s cousin, Ratnam Kesavan, 37, also a shopkeeper, said: “He was a very funny man, always making people laugh.

“All we have heard so far is that he died while taking his son to school. He had an accident in the van and the door came off and the van crashed into the wall and he was thrown into the road.

“When the van hit the wall his son blacked out in the crash and luckily his five-year-old daughter was at home.

“We just always expected him to be there, at parties and when the family got together he was always making jokes and making people laugh, he was the hub of the family. Without him we have no joy.

“He always worked hard and was always there for his family.”

Police were called by a member of the public to report Mr Balasundram’s white Mercedes van had collided with the Mini and a wall.

Mr Balasundram’s wife arrived shortly afterwards while the son was being treated, unfortunately Mr Balasandrum was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: “At this early stage it appears that the male driver of a van fell out of his own vehicle and into the path of an oncoming car.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the police on 020 8285 1574.

Did you know Mr Balasundram, or see what happened during the incident? Contact Mike Didymus on 020 8330 9556, or email mdidymus@ london.newsquest.co.uk