THE family of a pedestrian who died after he was struck by metal boards which were overhanging from a passing vehicle has paid tribute to their son.The move came as police renewed appeals for witnesses to the tragedy, which happened on January16.

THE family of a pedestrian who died after he was struck by metal boards which were overhanging from a passing vehicle has paid tribute to their son.

The move came as police renewed appeals for witnesses to the tragedy, which happened on January16.

Toby Delderfield, 23, was walking along Abridge Road towards Abridge in west Essex, when the boards on the back of a red Ford Transit pick-up van hit him.

Mr Delderfield, who grew up in Cressing, near Braintree, was taken to hospital but died five days after the collision.

His parents – who are separated, but both live in Braintree - and younger brother Luke issued a statement yesterday.

"Toby was a kind hearted man who was loved very much by his family," it read.

"We can't imagine what our lives will be like now he has gone."

Mr Delderfield was a herdsman who had worked in the agricultural industry since he left Tabor high School at the age of 16.

He had previously attended the Alec Hunter School.

He went on to study at Writtle Agricultural College for a short time and also worked at Lord Rayleigh Farm in Terling.

He left Braintree in 1996 and worked at various locations in the UK, including Yorkshire, Hungerford and Wales where he was involved in the care of animals.

Mr Delderfield moved to Piggots Farm Cottages in Abridge when he began work as a herdsman, but had ambitions to become a dairy manager and was considering taking up work in Australia.

When younger he was lead guitarist in a band called Feckless.

Mr Delderfield died on January 21 at Whipps Cross Hospital in Walthamstow, east London.

Anybody with any information about the accident is asked to contact officers at Chigwell Road Policing Unit on 01279 621821.