Teen, 18, dies in late night crash heading to McDonald’s with best pal as family pay tribute to ‘gentle giant’

A TEENAGER has tragically died in a late night crash while heading to McDonald’s with one of his best friends.

George Herd was the passenger in a Mini Cooper when the 18-year-old pair collided with a Kia Picanto on Tuesday evening.

The Kia driver was a man in his 60s who sadly later died in hospital.

George meanwhile was tragically pronounced dead at the scene in Aveley, Essex.

His friend driving the Mini, an 18-year-old man, was hospitalised with serious injuries after the collision.

Following the tragedy, George’s family described him as a “beautiful, kind and caring” person who are “proud of who he was”.

In a heartfelt statement they said: “He cared for his grandparents and family when they were poorly, always offering cups of tea, running errands and asking if everyone was okay.

“He was always there for his friends in difficult times. He was exceptionally bright, with everything to live for. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

“George enjoyed the simple things in life, preferring the company of his family and his group of fabulous, like‑minded friends.

“Being surrounded by his own comforts was where he was most content, but he also loved quirky gaming, anime and WrestleMania.

“He worked alongside his brother programming cars, which he really enjoyed, before returning to college.”

George was a qualified accountant who had planned to start his own company, and he was one of six children with a brother and four sisters.

His family continued: “He really was the gentle giant of the family.

“He would have made an amazing husband and father one day, and his life was just getting started. His honesty and integrity bordered on hilarity at times.

“He left our home that night happy and laughing, heading for a McDonald’s with one of his best friends.

“Four minutes later he was no longer with us.

“His TV was left on and his computer was logged in, ‘farming’, awaiting a gaming tournament with his American online friends of five years.

“He was a gifted gamer who everyone wanted on their team.

“He was loved by absolutely everyone who met him. We will never recover from his loss and miss him terribly already.

“He was the ever‑consistent one in the family – the only one who never lost his phone, keys or bank card, and always knew where everything was.

“He was a kind gentleman with a love for our ponies, cats, dogs and animals. His camera roll was full of photos of them.

“His outlook on life was love, laughter and being himself.

“It will always be the day our lives changed forever, but as a tribute to him we will try to ‘be more George’.”

Cops are continuing to carry out enquiries into the collision.

Officers are asking anybody with information to come forward.

A spokesperson for the force said: “If you have any information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage relating to this incident, please contact us. Quote incident 1231 of January 20.

“You can submit a report via our website or use our online Live Chat service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: http://www.essex.police.uk/digital101.

“To make an anonymous report, contact independent charity Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111.”