A family has spent Christmas in shock after a 20-year-old man was killed in a road crash.

Pedestrian Clint Hawes of Malgraves, Pitsea, died after being hit by a Toyota Hiace van on the Southend-bound track of the A127 near Nevendon on Christmas Eve.

It is understood he had been attempting to cross the busy road at around 6pm.

His family were too upset to talk about the accident.

The 45-year-old van driver, also from Pitsea, suffered from shock but refused hospital treatment.

Last night, a man was also killed as he tried to cross Somnes Avenue on Canvey.

The accident, which involved a Ford Escort, happened as the 63-year-old crossed from the golf course near the roundabout. He died at the scene.

Police today appealed for witnesses to both accidents to come forward.

The Christmas Eve crash happened around 100 yards from the Gardiners Lane North junction in the London direction.

A number of cars are believed to have stopped following the accident but drove off before police arrived.

A police spokesman said: "We would like to appeal for anyone who saw this incident to contact us as soon as possible."

Witnesses are urged to contact PC Gladman at Laindon traffic police on 01268 541312.

Rayleigh traffic police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the Canvey accident at around 6.25pm yesterday. The male driver escaped unhurt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Darren Beer on 01268 775533.

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