Nick Rankin, 20, died in a single vehicle accident on Redlands Rd near Corowa early last Wednesday morning.

His parents, Ross and Angela, were overseas in England, where their daughter Erica works, when the accident happened.

They flew back to Australia after hearing news of the accident that happened about 4.30am as Mr Rankin was driving to work at the Corowa piggery.

His vehicle left the road and rolled into a paddock, striking a tree.

He was trapped inside the vehicle and died before rescuers arrived at the scene.

Ovens and Murray (Group 6) secretary Sonny Downs said yesterday that Mr Rankin “showed a lot of promise” as a bowler.

He was the Rutherglen Bowling Club’s minor singles and handicap singles winner this season.

He played as a lead in Rutherglen’s A2 premiership team in Bill Campbell’s rink.

When his father went overseas, Mr Rankin moved from lead to third and had an instrumental role in Rutherglen’s state pennant victory at Corowa on April 29 and 30.

Rutherglen was unbeaten in the competition in which 16 teams participated, defeating Berwick by a clear-cut 13 shots in the final.

Mr Downs said Mr Rankin had “such a terrific personality”.

“Everyone in the group admired his personality and ability,” Mr Downs said.

He said Mr Rankin started playing bowls as part of physical education with the Rutherglen High School and immediately showed promise.

He completed his VCE at Rutherglen before going to the Australian National University in Canberra for 12 months.

Mr Rankin took 12 months off to work and save money to visit his sister in England.

Group 6 counsellor and recently elected RVBA board member, John Fisher, said Mr Rankin had enormous potential and his death was “an absolute tragedy”.

“He was a hell of a nice young man and came from a good family,” Mr Fisher said.

“It is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Fittingly, Mr Rankin’s funeral will be held at the Rutherglen Bowling Club on Wednesday at 11am.