TRIBUTES have been paid to three school friends who died in an horrific car crash as they enjoyed a fishing trip.

TRIBUTES have been paid to three school friends who died in an horrific car crash as they enjoyed a fishing trip.

Chris Jolley, Danny Archer and Richard 'Ric' Warren> were all pupils at Hedingham School, near Halstead.

The three youngsters died when the Ford Escort they were travelling in crashed into a field and broke in half after colliding with another car.

The accident happened on the A131 Sudbury Road between Halstead and Sudbury in the early hours of Sunday morning.

On his internet webpage, Chris, 15, of Mapelstead, near Halstead, wrote that he loved loud music and films with fast cars and guns.

Tributes were added to the site by grieving friends, including one from a girl called Tilly, who wrote: “Baby I've never hurt so much. I never thought I'd lose the one I love.”

Another friend named Olly wrote on his own website: “RIP Chris Jolley - you are gone but will never be forgotten. No-one could possibly replace you.”

Richard Warren, known as Ric to his friends, lived in Halstead and was an Ipswich Town fan who was believed to be either 14 or 15 years old.

On his webpage he said that he was happiest when fishing with his girlfriend, Becca, who wrote in a moving tribute: “I will always love u. U r always gna be missed by loads of people.”

Students returning to Hedingham School today will be offered counselling and be addressed in special assemblies by headteacher John Panayi.

Last night he said: “The tragic news about the death of three of our students has sent shock waves through our community.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the young people who have lost their lives and we shall do what we can to help support them through this terrible time.

“All three students were popular with students and staff and each had a real zest for life with an exciting future before them. They were a credit to themselves, their parents and the school and will be greatly missed.

“We are a very caring and supportive community and everyone will work together to help us through this difficult period of bereavement and adjustment.

“There are over 1,100 students and 160 staff in the school and I will address them all in special assemblies during the course of Tuesday morning.

“The school will offer counselling to students and staff wishing for support and guidance.

“The senior leadership team met today (Sunday) to ensure that the school continues to operate as normally as possible in very sad and difficult circumstances.”

Police are continuing to investigate the crash, at about 1.40am on Sunday, which also involved a red Volkswagen Bora.

When emergency services arrived at the scene the Bora was in a hedge and the maroon Ford was in a field and had broken in two. The Ford driver, a 17-year-old from the Halstead area, was treated at Broomfield Hospital for minor injuries before being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was released on police bail without charge on Sunday and must report back to police in July.

A 42-year-old man from London was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was bailed yesterday without charge until July.

Officers also arrested a 26-year-old man from Halstead yesterday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and were still questioning him last night.

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Bocking Road Policing Unit on 01376 330722.