The family of a mother-of-three killed in a car crash paid tribute to a "perfect and special" person.

Medical staff battled to save Joanne Mason but she died in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning after the accident in Mill Road, Colchester, the previous afternoon.

The 30-year-old hairdresser's three sons, Turner, three, Calvert, four and David, six, who had been in the car, all survived.

The youngest boy is still being treated at Colchester General Hospital for a broken leg, and is expected to be in traction for a month.

Joanne, known by many as Joe, lived with her husband Ray in Turner Road, close to the accident site.

She was getting her boys into her Volkswagen Jetta car after a regular after-school trip to the park, her vehicle parked next to an electricity sub-station.

A Daimler containing an elderly couple was then involved in a collision with it.

Both cars hit a brick wall around the sub-station, near Defoe Crescent. More than 40 bunches of flowers now lay at the scene.

Mr Mason, an insulation installer, was driving home from work in Great Horkesley when he saw there had been an accident.

He saw his wife's boot near a car - she loved bright boots and had worn white Doctor Marten's with her wedding dress

"I saw Joe's boot lying there which confirmed my worst fears. As soon as I saw her boot I just freaked," he said. Mr Mason said the boys were bearing up well.

"We went to see Turner in hospital who was his normal chirpy self - it just helps so much." Mr Mason praised his "precious, gorgeous and loving" wife's dedication to their boys.

He spent a few last minutes with his wife at hospital, and she managed to say a few words to him and asked how her boys were.

One of Mrs Mason's two brothers, David Bleeze from West Mersea, said: "How could this have happened to such a young, perfect mum?

"Joanne didn't deserve this. She was special to everyone that met her.

"I will miss her so much. Her boys and Ray will miss her even more."

Mr Bleeze praised the fire, ambulance, Essex Air Ambulance and Eastern Electricity staff who helped out at the scene - power had be isolated before the casualties were freed.

Mrs Mason's parents Josephine and George Bleeze from Clacton, who also have another daughter, were on holiday in Norfolk.

They decided to return home on Friday earlier than originally planned, and were met by the tragic news.

David Bleeze has asked for the woman who held Joanne's hand at the accident scene to contact him.

Police want to hear from witnesses to the accident, which happened at 4.50pm on Thursday in Mill Road, near the junction with Defoe Crescent.

Contact Stanway traffic police on 01206 762512.

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