THE families of two young men killed in a horrific car crash last night paid moving tributes to them.Kevin Ellis, 27, and Carl Smith, 30, both from Galleywood, died when the car they were travelling in was involved in a collision with two others in West Hanningfield.

By Annie Davidson

THE families of two young men killed in a horrific car crash last night paid moving tributes to them.

Kevin Ellis, 27, and Carl Smith, 30, both from Galleywood, died when the car they were travelling in was involved in a collision with two others in West Hanningfield.

The accident on Sunday night left three other people with serious injuries, one of whom was Mr Ellis's girlfriend.

Last night, Mr Smith's mother Libby Smith said in a statement: “Words can never fully describe a tragedy such as this.

“Two young men's lives were taken in the breath of a second on a warm summer's night.

“My deepest condolences go to Kevin's family and my heart-felt prayers are with his girlfriend as she lies in hospital.

“Carl and his brother Lee are my life, but now Carl has passed on and joined his father.

“He is deeply missed by myself, Lee, Collette, Mel, Rita and all his other friends in Galleywood and Chelmsford.

“I would like to thank all the emergency services personnel who attended the scene, especially those road policing officers from Chelmsford who have handled this terrible thing in an exemplary fashion.”

Mr Smith, of Parklands Way in Galleywood, died instantly in the crash on the B1007 Stock Road.

He was driving a Mercedes C200 towards Galleywood which was involved in a head-on collision with a Mercedes van and a Mercedes 600 both going in the opposite direction.

Mr Ellis, of Spring Rise, Galleywood, died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services to save his life.

Yesterday his family said in a statement: “He was taken so tragically and suddenly from us.

“He will be loved, sadly missed and never forgotten by his family and those who knew and loved him. “May he rest in peace.”

Mr Ellis's girlfriend, a 20-year-old woman from Chelmsford, was taken to Broomfield Hospital with serious chest injuries. Last night her condition was described as stable.

The driver of the white Mercedes van, a 47-year-old man from Dagenham suffered multiple injuries including a fractured knee, dislocated toes and a serious chest injury.

His 48-year-old wife, who was in the front seat of the van, also remains in hospital with a serious neck injury. They were both in a stable condition last night.

The driver of the other Mercedes car, which was following the van in the direction of Stock, was a 40-year-old man from Billericay.

He was taken to hospital after suffering cuts and bruises but was later discharged and is recovering at home.

Police have renewed their appeal for anyone who witnessed the crash or saw any of the vehicles shortly beforehand to contact the Chelmsford Road Policing Unit on 01245 240600.