Partner's tribute to rugby fan killed in crash

Image source, South Wales Police

Image caption, Mark Orpin was a rugby fan and coach who loved travelling, his partner said

The partner of a 35-year-old man who died in a crash has called him "one of the most gentle, loving and purest people".

Mark Orpin, fromTaibach, Neath Port Talbot, was in a two-car crash on the A48 in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, shortly after 17:00 BST on Wednesday.

Another man was taken to hospital for his injuries after the collision involving a red Vauxhall Corsa and a green Land Rover Defender.

As a rugby player who also coached the Bridgend Bulls under-12s, Mark will be remembered for his charity work and lone travels to countries across the globe, his family said.

"If you knew Mark, you would know that he was one of the most gentle, loving and purest people you would ever meet," his partner Emily said in a tribute issued by South Wales Police.

鈥淲e are all truly heartbroken and distraught that Mark is no longer with us.

"We take comfort in the fact that no matter how long he was in our lives, he made our lives better.

"He was the glue that held a lot of people together and we will remember him for being the kind, rugby-loving ginger who we all love and miss."