FRIENDS and family are mourning the death of a 27-year-old Takeley man who was killed in a car crash – one month before he was due to get married. Giulio Morronie, of Roseacres, was involved in a head-on collision with a 10-tonne tipper truck just outside

FRIENDS and family are mourning the death of a 27-year-old Takeley man who was killed in a car crash - one month before he was due to get married.

Giulio Morronie, of Roseacres, was involved in a head-on collision with a 10-tonne tipper truck just outside his home village on Monday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A devout church-goer, Mr Morronie was to marry fianc�e Catherine Nyondo in Zambia at the end of April after proposing just before Christmas.

The couple had decided to move out to Lusaka, the capital of the African country, and share a new life together there.

Church friend Brian Baldwin, who lives on the same road, described him as a "very friendly, special and warm character".

He said: "We met several years ago when I was a churchwarden at Takeley Holy Trinity and since then became good friends. He was a fantastic man and will be missed by everybody.

"He would always attend church functions and help raise money for good causes. He came along to services at least once a week. I think that is when it might sink that we have lost him."

Mr Morronie had been living with his mother, Wendy, prior to the crash. Both her and his finacee are said to be completely devastated.

Mr Baldwin added: "After their engagement, most of the village turned out to congratulate them. We even held a special service to say goodbye when the decided to emigrate.

"Our thoughts are with the families at this time and we all pray for them."

Another member of the congregation, Teeresa Wind, said: "His death will leave a big hole because he was an important member of our church family."

Mr Morronie was driving a red Nissan Terrano on the B183 (Station Road), travelling towards Hatfield Broad Oak, which collided with a yellow Leyland DAF tipper lorry going in the opposite direction shortly before 4.30pm.

The road was closed for about six hours while police investigated the scene and recovered the vehicles. The driver of the lorry was uninjured.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Dunmow road policing unit on 01371 871116.