THE grieving family of a Suffolk man killed in a head-on road crash in Essex have paid a moving tribute to him – as police renewed their appeal for witnesses to the smash.

THE grieving family of a Suffolk man killed in a head-on road crash in Essex have paid a moving tribute to him – as police renewed their appeal for witnesses to the smash.

Calvin Ripper died after he lost control of his silver Toyota Celica and was in collision with a blue coloured lorry on Braxted Road in Rivenhall End just after 5.30pm on Thursday.

While the driver of the lorry, a 46-year-old man from Tiptree, was uninjured, Mr Ripper was pronounced dead at the scene.

A section of the road was closed for just under six hours while emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the accident.

Mr Ripper, 20, who was a loving boyfriend to Emma, lived in Ashmere Grove in Ipswich.

Yesterday, his family paid tribute to the computer-programmer, who they said loved to play and watch basketball in his spare time.

His siblings, Mark, 23, John, 26, Karl, 35, Garry, 38 and Debbie, 40, added that Mr Ripper, a former pupil at Stoke High School, was a "good friend" who "loved to party."

In a statement released through Essex Police, they said: "He loved life. He was very generous. He loved to party.

"He was everyone's favourite uncle. He had everything to look forward to, but was tragically taken from us.

"He was a loving son, grandson, brother and uncle. He was a good friend to all who knew him."

His mother, Sue, added: "There is a nightclub in the sky with a new customer and he will join his dad there who died a few years earlier."

Police are keen to hear from any witnesses to the crash who have yet to speak with investigating officers.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Bocking Road Policing Unit on 01376 330722.