Tributes are flooding in for a 21-year-old former Colne Community College pupil who died in a crash near Colchester.
Shane Scott died at the scene of the two-car collision in Tenpenny Hill, Thorrington, on Tuesday afternoon which also saw five other people, including a boy aged 15, taken to hospital.
A keen rugby player and member of Clacton Rugby Club, Shane has been described as a “joker” by friends in tributes paid to him on social media.
Ben Puxey, chairman at the club, said: “Shane was a top bloke. If he could make a match or a function he would.
“When he played he was a strong, aggressive player and if he had played and trained more he would have easily stepped into the first team, but his job on the railway made that hard.
“He got on well with all the boys and was a larger than life character – you knew he was about he was at the club.
“Shane was a real, genuine fella and it is a shame he has passed away so young, it is a massive loss.”
Shane had celebrated his birthday 10 days ago, and was a former pupil at the Colne Community College in Brightlingsea.
Two other men also involved in the crash were airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, while three were taken to Colchester General Hospital.
An 18-year-old man remains in a critical condition at the hospital, three men aged 21, 20 and 15 suffered serious injuries and a 35-year-old man suffered minor injuries.
Emergency services were called to the crash at 2.15pm, including three fire crews who freed four people who were trapped.
Police shut the road, the B1027, for several hours while crash investigators examined the scene.
Essex Police urged people to take care when laying flowers or tributes at the scene.
A spokesman said: “We understand a large number of people have been laying tributes in memory of a young man who sadly died. We understand people wish to pay their respects at this very difficult time and just kindly ask that they are mindful of their own safety and that of other road users.
• Witnesses or anyone with footage of the crash should contact Det Sgt Adam High at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101, or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here