�Tributes have been paid to a “true family man” from Brentwood who died after he was in a collision with a van.

Curtis McDonald, 49, was involved in the accident in Kings Road outside Brentwood Station just before 6am on Thursday last week.

Curtis, from Junction Road, Warley, was walking past the station when the incident took place. He was taken to Queen’s Hospital, Romford, but died shortly after arriving.

He had moved to Brentwood with his wife Gloria in March. He had previously lived in East Ham where he grew up with his two sisters, brother and parents.

Music

Gloria said in a tribute: “Curtis was a great husband and a true family man. He loved all nieces and nephews and he spent lots of quality time with them. He will be greatly missed by us all, with family and friends left utterly shocked and devastated by this tragic incident.”

She added he loved music, especially soul, jazz and funk. “He was really into Formula One and rugby, which he had played and he always watched these.

“He liked going to the gym and generally keeping fit. He was also a very keen gardener and took care of all the family gardens, growing fruit and vegetables with his dad. Curtis also enjoyed doing DIY.”

He had worked for the Ministry of Defence for nearly ten years and had also served in the military as a RAF regiment gunner for six years, travelling around the world, including to Cyprus and Germany.

Gloria added: “That was his greatest achievement which he loved to reminisce about.”

A 48-year-old man from the Brentwood area was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He is currently on police bail until February 14 pending further enquiries.

n Anyone with information in connection with this incident is urged to contact Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk