THE best friends of two youngsters killed in a car crash have spoken of the pair's ability to "light up life". Richard Ellis and Sarah Johnston, both 20 and both from St Nazaire Road in Chelmsford, died when the Ford Fiesta they were in crashed through a central reservation and overturned.

THE best friends of two youngsters killed in a car crash have spoken of the pair's ability to "light up life".

Richard Ellis and Sarah Johnston, both 20 and both from St Nazaire Road in Chelmsford, died when the Ford Fiesta they were in crashed through a central reservation and overturned.

Three other passengers in the car were also taken to hospital with serious injuries after the accident near to the Army and Navy roundabout last Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to the East Anglian Daily Times, Jason Maher, whose sister Shirley was in the car, said the survivors of the horror smash were making good progress.

He said Shirley had suffered a broken arm and has since had plates and pins inserted and his best friend Dave Roberts was also making good progress at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital after suffering a punctured lung.

He said: "Dave had been conscious at the scene but was put into a temporary coma by doctors because of the swelling to his brain.

"The doctors are happy that they got responses from his arms and legs and are optimistic that he will be able to make a full recovery."

Mr Maher, 21, said the group of people in the Fiesta were great friends.

"Me and my brother have known Richard for so long from an early age. He was a loving person, the kind of person that everyone who knew him liked him.

"He had a wonderful gift to be able to light up life. Nothing upset him in life."

Richard was a promising footballer and holds goal-scoring records for Broomfield Football Club in the Essex Intermediate League and also had trials for Ipswich Town.

"Everyone is devastated, but we know that if he is looking down on us he would want us to get on with our lives" he said.

Last night, Sarah's boyfriend, Steve Stephen said: "Sarah was loved by all especially the family and friends around her.

"She was always happy through the time I have known her and deserved the nick-names 'Smiler', which summed her up.

"She will be sadly missed by all as will my good friend Rich, but they will always be remembered for their easy-going attitude to life.

"If they were not there in Q-Ball snooker club they would be socialising with friends or dancing the night away.

"Three words which would sum up Sarah would be strong, loving and compassionate. She was a pillar of strength for anyone lucky enough to know her, no matter what troubles she had, she would put them to one side for her friends.

"She will be fondly remembered as a selfless caring young woman."