THE FAMILY of a woman who died in a three-vehicle crash in Maldon have described her as “the best of us”.

A silver Ford Fiesta, a white and green Scania tipper lorry and a black Renault Megane were involved in the crash at 10.50am on the A414 Maldon Road last Friday.

Thirty-six-year-old Elizabeth Davis, from Maldon, died in the incident.

Her family today paid tribute to their daughter. They said: “Elizabeth Anne Davis (née Kneller) was born near Versailles in France in 1976.

“Like her brother James and sisters Suzanne and Victoria, she attended school in France. When her father relocated back home to England in 1988, she and Victoria had to quickly adjust to a new language and curriculum.

“Elizabeth found this easy and thoroughly enjoyed her years at the Anglo European School in Ingatestone. She passed her International Baccalaureate and read French at Warwick.”

They added: “After experience in administration at Chelmsford College, she decided that caring for children was to be her vocation.

“She became a much-loved bilingual nanny to several children from families with a French connection.

“Her happiness was complete when she met and married Mark Davis in 2004. They married in St John’s in Danbury, where her parents Richard and Maggie have lived for many years.”

Her family continued: “She was a loyal subject and beautiful servant of Christ; she worshipped at Danbury Mission and played a role in many church activities, both for children and adults.

“She was the best of us. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister and aunt who supported and encouraged us all. We are sad to see her leave so early, but grateful for the wonderful 36 years we had with her.”

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police should contact the Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk