A YOUNG driver killed in a Suffolk road accident was “the happiest he had ever been” before the fatal collision, his mother said today.In a moving tribute to her son Nicholas Bray, Deb Bray has described how the 20-year-old had landed his dream job and often talked about how lucky he was.

A YOUNG driver killed in a Suffolk road accident was “the happiest he had ever been” before the fatal collision, his mother said today.

In a moving tribute to her son Nicholas Bray, Deb Bray has described how the 20-year-old had landed his dream job and often talked about how lucky he was.

It was when Nick was driving home from work - as an apprentice at an engineering firm in Glemsford - his Honda Civic car was in collision with a heavy goods vehicle on the A134, near Long Melford.

The 20-year-old, from The Pippins in Church Road, Stowupland, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened on Friday.

Mrs Bray, also speaking on behalf of her husband Ron, said: “We couldn't have wanted a better son. We were very proud of him and he was very happy with his life.

“He was so pleased to have got the job.

“In the last couple of months I'd say he was the happiest he had ever been.

“He wanted to be a good engineer. Ever since he was little, from the first day he could sit up, he would sit and pull things apart.

“He appreciated he was very lucky to have found a job he wanted to do.”

Nick had lived in Stowupland since he was born. He attended Stowupland High School and after leaving school got a job at the Rannochs factory in Haughley.

He had been working at Glemsford-based Cannon Avent since last summer and also studied part-time at West Suffolk College.

He was brother to a 14-year-old and a 24-year-old sister and had a four-month-old niece and a three-year-old nephew.

Mrs Bray said: “He would have been surprised by how many people have sent so much love.

“He was a very private person but had very good friends.

“A lot of people have said how polite he was which is unusual for someone of that age.

“He always had time to stop and talk to people and a lot of kids don't.

“He will be missed by a lot of people.”

An inquest into Nick's death was opened and adjourned yesterday.

The family have not yet made any funeral arrangements.

Would you like to pay tribute to Nick Bray? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk