A grieving mother has urged drivers to slow down after her 17-year-old son died in a car crash.

Carl Anderson, of Pickers Way, Holland-on-Sea, died on Wednesday night when the Ford Escort car in which he was a passenger hit a parked lorry at the Gorse Lane Industrial Estate in Clacton.

The former Colbayns High School pupil had begun a computing course at Colchester Institute a week before the accident. He had also just started going out with girlfriend Paula.

"He was bright and young and just getting his life together," said Erica Anderson, Carl's mum.

"When he left school, he did a bit of bricklaying but it didn't suit him, so he started an NVQ in computers at Colchester. He was really enjoying it."

She pleaded for youngsters in the town - to take more care on the roads following the spate of accidents in the district last week.

"I just want the boys and girls driving cars to think when they put their foot down.

"It doesn't matter how many times they've done it before, it only takes one mistake to have an accident."

Carl lived in Pickers Way with his mum, sister Vanessa, 16, and brothers Alex, 14, and Liam, seven.

A 17-year-old man of Holland-on-Sea has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to a fatal car crash at the Gorse Lane Industrial Estate on Wednesday night. He has been bailed until November 3.

More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Monday, September 19, 2005

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette