The brother and sister of a Chelmsford man who died in a road accident as he walked home from his firm's Christmas dinner have sent a message of compassion to the taxi driver involved in the collision.

"We really feel for the driver and hope that it does not spoil his Christmas celebrations," said Mike Brown and Jenny Seymour.

Police have told them that the London cabbie was in deep shock after the death of their 30-year-old brother, Peter Brown, of Gloucester Avenue.

Mr Brown, a shift supervisor, had left his own car at home because he knew that he would be drinking at the Cundell Corrugated Christmas party at Furze Hill, Ingatestone, on Friday night.

But, as he tried to cross the A1016 near Hylands Park, Widford, at about 4am on Saturday, he was involved in the collision with a black taxi.

In their moving message to the cabbie, grief-stricken Mike and Jenny said that they bore no ill feeling, despite their own sadness at losing their fun-loving brother.

Mrs Seymour said: "We hope the cabbie will read this because, from what the police have told us, it was a blind spot and, sadly, Peter was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mike Brown said that his brother was a keen follower of Chelmsford Chieftains ice hockey team and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

"He was very likeable and fun to be with," said Mr Brown. "Those who knew him at work and in his sporting interests are devastated."

A spokesman for Cundell Corrugated said that employees were distressed. "Peter was an extremely popular employee," he said. "He came from a family which has a long history with Cundell.

"Naturally, the company is giving the family all the support it can."

An inquest will be held, and police, who are officially still investigating the incident, have appealed for witnesses to contact them on 01245 452918.

Picture, top: Peter Brown.

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