A tribute has been paid to a popular coach driver who died tragically in a road accident.

The coach firm boss also laid flowers at the crash scene at Weeley Heath where David Newall, 58, died on Friday.

Robert MacGregor, managing director of Hedingham Omnibuses, who had employed Mr Newall for the nine years, said: "Last Friday at 9.50am I received the telephone call every employer dreads, an employee had been tragically killed.

"As soon as I heard what had happened, I drove to the scene of the accident. And then speaking to all the stunned, shocked work force will live with me forever."

He said Mr Newall, of Frating Park, Frating, worked at the Clacton depot and had built up a loyal following of regular customers who asked for him to be their driver.

Mr Newall was well-liked by the many elderly passengers he collected for weekly shopping trips, and other coach outings.

Mr MacGregor added: "He was a very reliable, trustworthy, and loyal employee."

He said he sent his "deepest" sympathy to Mr Newall's partner Julie Humphreys and family.

Mr MacGregor said it was the second time the company had had to deal with a tragedy in the last six months following the death of Clacton County High School pupil Reece Straight.

It is thought Mr Newall was loading luggage into the coach on Clacton Road when it was involved in an accident with a Ford Escort.

Floral tributes laid after the recent tragedy

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