TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved man with a heart of gold killed in a road crash.

Ollie King, 22, of Eastwood Road North, Leigh, has been named locally as the man who lost his life when a BMW coupe crashed into a telephone pole in Hockley Road, Rayleigh, on Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Heartbroken friends have left messages on floral tributes at the scene, as well as on cans of lager and cider left in memory of his fun-loving and caring character.

Tom Bowtell, 22, of Constitution Hill, Benfleet, had been best friends with Ollie since the age of 11 when they were put in the same tutor group at the King John School, in Thundersley.

He said: “Every milestone you hit as you grow up, me and Ollie did it together.

“He was fiercely loyal, I was lucky enough to share so many experiences with him.

“He was the best a friend I could ask for.

“In fact, he was more than a best friend, he was like a brother.

“The main thing I will always remember him for is how strongly he loved his mother – and the consistency and persistence of him chasing after girls!

“He was extremely funny. The strength of his character shone through in the darkest of times and although I may have lost him for now, I will never forget him and I am forever grateful for the precious memories we have made together.”

Fellow school friend Jack Smith, 21, of Birchwood, Benfleet, said: “This is so sad. At 22 you don’t think something like this will happen.”

In a joint statement from Mr Bowtell and Mr Smith, along with fellow school friends Mitch Turner, 21, of Elmhurst Avenue, Benfleet, Charlie Rumble, 21, of Kenneth Road, Thundersley, and Pat Neary, 21, of Bouldrewood Road, Benfleet, they said: “There are so many different ways to describe Ollie, caring, funny, kind, these are just a few that spring to mind.

“Ollie was one of a kind and one of the nicest young men you would ever have the pleasure of spending time with.

“He was there for anyone whenever you needed him and would never let you down. Ollie had a heart of gold and will be missed by so many and will forever remain in our hearts and minds. Love you Ollie and thanks for all the memories.”

He will be so missed

A FITNESS fanatic, Ollie had been a member for Armour Leisure gym in Pall Mall, Leigh, for about ten years, before recently moving to Evolution gym.

Lauren Johnson, 34, of Salisbury Road, Leigh, who works at Armour Leisure said: “In the time I knew him, he was so lovely and caring.

He adored his family and friends and we would talk about his mum and auntie often.

“He would do anything for anyone and will be greatly missed by many people. Gone far too soon. Heaven has truly gained an angel.”

 

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Family friend Dean Mitchell, 30, of the Broadway, Leigh, who also attended the gym, said Ollie was wellknown around Leigh.

He added: “Armour Leisure has asked me to say on behalf of the gym and its members that our thoughts are with Ollie’s family and he will be sorely missed. He was wellloved by us all at the gym.

“It’s hard to put into words what a great man he was. I will always remember him being happy and on top of the world.”

Sarah Hart, 25, of Flemming Crescent, Leigh, who used to work in the Broadway pub where Ollie was a regular, said: “The last time I saw him was on New Year’s Eve.

“We were trying to get him to dance.

“It was an honour to know him. He was such a fun and outgoing person that everyone knew who he was in Leigh.”

TEACHERS REMEMBER HIM AS A ‘KIND AND POLITE BOY’

DESPITE leaving school years ago, Ollie’s former teachers said they still remember his vivacious personality.

Margaret Wilson, headteacher at the King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley, said: “Oliver was a very kind boy who had many friends at the school.

“We are all devastated by this news and send our greatest condolences to his friends and family.”

Deputy head Steve Watts, who is also head of sixth form, was Ollie’s head of year during his time at school.

He said: “Oliver was a very polite and pleasant young man and I was very saddened to hear such terrible news.

“Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Ollie went on to study ICT at South Essex College between 2010 and 2012 and passed with distinction.

He then went on to Anglia Ruskin University, in Chelmsford, to study business information systems for a year before leaving to work full time.

Street lights should go on if that's what caused crash

COUNCILLORS are hoping the police will pressure Essex County Council into switching the street lights on if it is found darkness contributed to the fatal crash.

While it is not known what caused the crash, which took place at about 3.30am on Sunday as the street lights were off, councillors have said there have been a number of accidents in recent weeks during night hours.

Rochford Independent councillor Christine Mason, who represents Hawkwell, said: “I have residents who drive at night who have commented that they can’t see particularly well with the lights off.

“If it’s icy or cold, one advantage of having the lights on is you get a shimmer on the road and you can see it.

“I have no idea what caused this accident, but I would have thought that would have contributed.”

Roads around Hawkwell have seen a number of night-time crashes.

A driver avoided serious injuries, despite crashing into two gas mains, leading to eight houses being evacuated last month. Theman, in his twenties, came off Rectory Road, near Windsor Gardens, Hawkwell, causing a gas leak.

Firefighters had to put a 1km exclusion zone in place.

A car also overturned in Main Road, Hawkwell, hitting a lamppost at a crossing.

Although these crashes took place in the dark, they did not occur during the lighting switch-off between 12am and 5am.

However, fellow independent councillor, John Mason, who is leader of the opposition of Rochford Council, added: “We need to ask the question of how many more accidents there have been since the street lights were switched off.

“If Essex Police finds the street lights being off had any contributory factor to this crash, then I would expect them to get in touch with Essex County Council to ensure that area of road is relit.”

Other crashes which have occurred elsewhere during the switch-off include a car which crashed into the central reservation of the A127 spinning up to 30 metres down the carriageway at 4.15am on Sunday, January 18.

Two fire crews from Rayleigh and one from Leigh were called to help the driver, who had crashed on the London-bound carriageway between Progress Road and Rayleigh Weir. He did not suffer serious injury.

A man in his forties was left with broken ribs and cuts to the head after being hit with a car in Perry Street, Billericay. He was found at about 2am on December 14.

* A 31-year-old man from Rochford who was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after the crash, has been bailed until May 23 pending further inquiries.