The family of a Romford grandfather who died in a road accident that also killed a teenage girl have spoken of their devastation.

Lauren Brown was walking home at around 9.50pm on Friday when she was struck by a van being driven by 51-year-old Steve Tilbury near the junction of Whalebone Lane South and Crow Lane in Chadwell Heath, near the Havering border.

Steve died at the scene, while Lauren was taken by ambulance to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel with head and abdominal injuries and died some time later.

Steve, who lived locally, leaves behind wife Linda, two children and three grandchildren.

His daughter Louise Tilbury said: “He was a loved husband, dad, and granddad. We are absolutely devastated by his death. We are also grieving for the young girl’s family.”

In a message left at the scene of the crash, Linda wrote: “So, so sorry that your life has been taken so young. A double tragedy. Hope you both get to heaven together and he can tell you what happened cos I don’t know why.”

Lauren’s mum said she was too devastated to talk at this stage but one of her best friends, Molly Galvin-Law, 17, paid tribute.

“Everyone loved her,” she said. “If you were feeling down, she would be there to cheer you up. I have spent almost every day with her for the past seven years. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. I can’t believe this has happened.”

Former St Edward’s C of E school pupil Lauren lived in Crow Lane with her family and was studying beauty at Havering College.

Crow Lane resident Jamie White, 28, described his street as a “death trap”.

“There have been far too many serious accidents,” he said. “They have already put up a metal fence because a car went onto the railway tracks once and have made it one-way, but more obviously needs to be done.”