THE mother of the young dad found dead in his car at the bottom of an isolated road embankment has paid a heartfelt tribute to a ‘sensitive and caring’ son. Thomas Mitchell, a 28-year-old Dorchester plumber, broke his neck after his car left the road at Hogg Cliff Hill, Frampton.

Police, who made the grim discovery on June 18 – 10 days after Mr Mitchell left home following a family row – think his body may have laid in the wreckage for days.

Hours before police discovered his battered Ford Fiesta car, officers had released a missing persons appeal after liaising with his anxious relatives.

On behalf of the family, his mum said: “Tom was a sensitive and caring person both in his work and personal life.

“He was an incredibly warm and affectionate person who was devoted to his partner and family.”

Mr Mitchell, who had a five-year-old son Joe, lived in Dorchester as a boy, but spent his teenage years in Bournemouth before returning to the Dorset county town.

His mum said: “He was practically-minded and picked up skills quickly. He loved the outdoors and in the past enjoyed cycling, climbing and walking. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him,” said his mum.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned by the West Dorset Coroner. A postmortem examination has already established he died as a result of blunt force trauma and a broken neck.

Police, who are investigating the death as a road traffic accident, are still anxious to speak to anyone who saw the silver Ford Fiesta, registration P354 XDW. Call Dorset Police on 01305 222 222.