Tributes have been paid to an “immensely likeable” teenager who died a fortnight after suffering life-threatening injuries in a crash close to his home.

Ryan Noakes, 18, of Cats Lane, Sudbury, was involved in a single-car collision on Springlands Way, Sudbury around 11.40pm on April 9.Emergency services were called to the scene after receiving reports that the black Vauxhall Astra being driven by Mr Noakes had veered off the road and crashed into street furniture.

The former Sudbury Upper School student was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he died on Tuesday afternoon.

As the news of his passing filtered through, friends of the popular teenager took to Twitter and Facebook to express their grief.

One Tweeted “it doesn’t feel real” while another wrote “RIP Ryan, you were far too young with so much to learn.”

Teachers and pupils at Ryan’s former school – now known as Ormiston Sudbury Academy – issued a joint statement last night, which read: “Ryan was an immensely likeable student; a real character, who is fondly remembered by both students and staff who are still at the Academy.

“We are all deeply saddened by the news of his death and our sincere sympathies go out to his family at this very difficult time.”

During his time at the school, Ryan was one of a group of students who cooked Christmas lunch and organised a raffle and a game of bingo for residents of Playford Court sheltered accommodation.

He also worked alongside two professional artists to design and produce a piece of large-scale graffiti art for one of the school social areas.

Family friend Julie Norris described Ryan as a “good lad” who enjoyed spending time fishing with his dad.

She added: “I have known him since he was a baby and this is just devastating for his family and friends. He was a lovely boy with a good sense of humour and his whole life ahead of him. It’s such a great shame that this has happened.”

One of Ryan’s friends Jenna Brown summed up the mood on Facebook. She wrote: “You were my best friend and you always will be – you will never be forgotten in our hearts.”

Police are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Springlands Way area on the evening of April 9, who either saw the car travelling along the road prior to the collision or after the crash occurred.

Calls should be made to Pc Allie Cotton at the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101, quoting CAD 460 of 9/4/14.