TRIBUTES have been paid to a 17-year-old girl who died in a horrific car accident which has left another teenager fighting for her life.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a 17-year-old girl who died in a horrific car accident which has left another teenager fighting for her life.

Charmaine Philips died at the scene of the accident on the A131 between Broad Road and Marks Farm roundabouts in Braintree.

Charmaine, of Appletree Walk in Braintree, had been driving a white Ford Ranger which collided with a red Rover 100.

The Notley High School pupil died at the scene of the accident which happened at 9.30pm on Monday.

Yesterday the school's headteacher Simon Thompson said the school was in shock and paid tribute to the “bubbly and cheerful” pupil.

He said: “The news about Charmaine has been a real shock for the school.

“Charmaine was someone that, in her time at Notley, was unfailingly helpful and cheerful.

“Her bubbly personality and smile will be remembered by many staff, as will the fact that she was an 'overcomer' who didn't give up, but dealt with the problems life brought her.

“She was well-liked by students and staff and will be missed by many of us.

“Our sympathy goes out to her friends and family alike.”

Two passengers in Charmaine's vehicle, a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old girl, both from Braintree, are currently in Broomfield Hospital with serious injuries following the collision.

The 17-year-old is fighting for her life in a critical condition and the 19-year-old is in a serious but stable condition.

The driver of the Rover, a 27-year-old man from Sudbury, is in hospital in a stable condition after suffering bruising to his arms.

A section of the road was closed for six hours while Essex Police accident investigators carried out an examination to try and establish the cause of the crash and the road was cleared of debris.

Margaret Galione, chairman of Braintree District Council, said yesterday: “I can only say how very, very sorry I am and I send my condolences to the family of the girl who has died.

“Hopefully the others will recover. I have two boys who are grown up now but if it was my family I would be absolutely devastated.”

Anyone with information about the crash should call the Dunmow Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.