A teacher has paid tribute to a "nice, popular and most able student" who died in a road accident.

Richard Green, 17, died after the car in which he was a passenger was involved in a collision on the A120 at Braintree.

Richard, who lived with his parents Ken and Sandra at Tabor Avenue, Braintree, and was described as a kind-hearted and well-liked person, had studied for an NVQ in Information Technology at Braintree and Witham technology centres.

Justin O'Connor, training officer at Witham Technology Centre, said: "I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard. I just couldn't believe it. He was without doubt one of the best lads I have worked with through the centre.

"Richard first joined me when I was teaching at the Braintree Technology Centre and he followed me to the Witham centre when I moved there through promotion last year.

"He was always keen to learn and was possibly one of the most able students I have worked with.

"He not only wanted to work in IT, he had the backing of his ability to carry him along as well. Richard was a pleasure to teach."

Mr O'Connor added: "Apart from the training aspects of the course, I also was fortunate enough to get to know him on a more personal level when he came to me for advice on things that didn't involve his course.

"Richard was basically a very nice and very bright student. What happened is an unbelievable tragedy and I offer my deepest sympathies to his family."

Richard, who lived at home with brother Michael, 14, and sisters Michelle, 11, and Lauren, nine, had another brother and sister, Darren, 20, and Stepahnie, 18, who also live in the Braintree area.

He had finished his course in February and was looking to pursuing a career in IT and had been applying for jobs

Anyone with information about the accident at Galleys Corner should contact Bocking traffic police on 01376 330722.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.