A DRIVER who died at the scene of a collision on the A12 has been named as Essex man Lee Maris.

The 38-year-old, from Snowdrop Close, Chelmsford, died following a crash on the A12 at Boreham.

Family members paid tribute to Mr Maris and thanked those who first arrived at the scene of the crash.

Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway of the road just before 5.30pm on Friday.

Six vehicles were involved in the incident and the carriageway was closed for more than seven hours while the scene was examined and vehicles recovered.

Mr Maris, the driver of a green Citroen, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family paid tribute to him, saying: “We are all devastated by this incomprehensible, premature loss of an extremely loving son, brother, uncle and partner - a best friend to all who knew him.

“We are all honoured and lucky to have had Lee in our lives.

“Anyone who met Lee could not fail to notice what a genuinely lovely, caring man he was with a smile that could light up a room.

“We’d all like to say a big thank you to the emergency services involved especially the first responder who was first on the scene who helped Lee.”

Police appealed for witnesses to the fatal six-car crash to come forward after they arrested two people on suspicion of death by careless driving.

The crash is believed to have happened when one of the vehicles collided with the central reservation barrier on the southbound carriageway.

A 21-year-old-woman from Hornchurch and a 19-year-old man from south west London were arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. Both were bailed until October 22.