FRIENDS have paid tribute to a cheeky 21-year-old who died in a crash just nine days after his birthday.

Shane Scott died in a fatal two- car crash in Tenpenny Hill, Thorrington.

His friends shared loving messages on his Facebook page, saying Shane, who was a keen rugby player, was “always smiling”.

Friend Chanise Nethercott said: “Never in a million years did I think I’d be getting a phone call telling me that I won’t be seeing you again.

“Don’t think I’ll ever be able to sum up our friendship in words Shaney boy, you meant the world to me.”

The former Colne Community College student from Clacton worked in the rail industry and his colleagues said he was happy and always up for a laugh.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Tuesday.

Friends described him as “the man you will never forget”.

Emelia Dresser posted a picture of herself with Shane along with the following words: “The person you will never forget, bad things happen to good people, I love you untold amounts and I’m gonna make you proud I promise.”

Photos and memories were posted with messages describing Shane as a crazy guy who was always cheerful.

Alan Lee, vice chairman of Clacton Rugby Club where Shane played as a forward in the second team, said: “I was shocked. As a club we would like to pay tribute to him.

“He was an up and coming personality in the club. He was a generous and funny lad, it’s just devastating. “ He added: “He was hard-working guy, he was always laughing and was a bit of a joker, he could never take anything seriously.

“He was a big personality and he will be missed.”

Shane enjoyed playing on his PlayStation with friends and going on nights out.

He was also known to have taken part in charity events including a charity boxing match for Cancer Research UK last summer.

The crash happened at about 2.15pm and police confirmed one other man is in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire in a life-threatening condition.

A third man is in a serious condition and three other people were treated for minor injuries at Colchester General Hospital.

The road was closed for a number of hours while the emergency services worked.

It is understood the other car involved in the accident was a Hawaii-Five-0 taxi. The taxi company was asked if it wanted to comment but did not respond.

Police have asked for anyone who captured the incident on a dash camera to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Adam High at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.