Ten children lost a parent when three people died in a car crash in the middle of Braintree.

Mothers Debbie Gibson and Sharon Wilson, both 36, and father-of-two, Carmine Giarnese, 37, died when their Ford Sierra Cosworth crashed into a brick wall.

The women were life-long friends and had been classmates at school.

They had been on a Christmas night out at Flacks nightclub, Braintree, when Mr Giarnese, a doorman at the club, offered them a lift home.

They were wearing seat belts in the sports saloon when it hit a brick wall at the junction of Coggeshall Road and the Avenue - just yards from Braintree Police Station.

The demolished wall around Mary Wright's garden in the Avenue is now covered with flowers and tributes.

She said she was shocked by Saturday's incident, which happened just after 2am. Rescue tenders from Braintree and Colchester fire stations were called to assist. A police surgeon confirmed the three dead at the scene.

PC Nick Williamson said the Sierra was travelling towards Colchester when tragedy struck on the wet road.

Police accident investigation officers started trying to find the cause of the crash on Sunday and will be examining the car which has been covered and locked away.

Mother-of-five, Sharon Wilson, nee Banks, had lived in Braintree all her life. For the past two years she had lived in Bartram Avenue with children Stephen 15, Craig, 12, Connie, 8, Jessee, 5 and Elle, three months.

Mrs Wilson's mother, Dina Decker, 54, of Lower King, Braintree, said her daughter, the eldest of four and separated, was bubbly and popular.

Her sister, Nikki Kelly, 33, of Chapel Hill, is looking after the baby while the other children are being cared for by friends and family.

Debbie Gibson, nee Dean, lived at Forefields with her children Sian, 15, Scott, 13 and Jake, 8. They are being cared for by family.

Her mother, Nina, and stepfather, Ron Playle, of Chelmer Road, issued a statement saying their divorced daughter struggled to bring up her children on her own. "She was devoted to her children and would go out of her way to help others," said Mr Playle.

Mr Giarnese lived with his parents in Kings Road and was married but separated from his wife, Sally, who lives in Roxwell.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash and anyone with information should call police on 01376 330722.

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