A VILLAGE is in mourning after a road crash claimed the life of a popular 27-year-old just weeks before his wedding.

Giulio Morronie was pronounced dead at the scene of Monday afternoon’s crash on the B183 Station Road in Takeley, his home village.

He and fiance Catherine Nyondo, a carer, were at the village’s Holy Trinity Church on Sunday when the congregation wished them bon voyage before they left for Zambia this Friday for their April 25 wedding in Lusaka cathedral.

Church member and neighbour Brian Baldwin said the couple met through the church.

He said: “They were engaged and were going to live in Zambia.

“We had a presentation for them on Sunday to wish them well.”

Mr Morronie, who lived in Roseacres with his mother, was an import broker at FedEx at Stansted Airport.

Mr Baldwin described him as very pleasant and easy to get on with.

“He had a considerable faith and took a keen interest in everything that went on in the church.

“Giulio will be sorely missed by the congregation and the village,” he said.

Rector Laurie Bond said Mr Morronie was a reliable and hardworking young man.

“It’s so tragic.

“His fiance and mother are distraught."

Mr Morronie was driving a red Nissan Terrano when it was in collision with a Leyland DAF tipper truck on a slight bend a mile from Takeley’s Four Ashes junction. The tipper driver was unhurt The road was closed for six hours while Dunmow traffic officers gathered evidence and diverted traffic via Collier Street.

Dunmow firefighters and the air ambulance were also sent to the scene.

Traffic officers are appealing for witnesses to telephone 01371 871116.