TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a charming, popular teenager who had ambitions to become a firefighter.

Gary Pitchford, of Speedwell Road, in the Old Heath area of Colchester, died yesterday morning in Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambridge.

The 17-year-old, who was the youngest of three children, had been fighting for his life after he was a passenger in a silver Peugeot 106 car which veered off the road and crashed into a tree.

The incident happened in Abberton Road, Langenhoe, at 11.15pm on Monday.

He was flown by helicopter to the specialist Cambridge hospital, where he remained in a critical condition until he sadly died.

Gary’s brother Wayne, and sister Hayley, along with mum Diane and father Kevin, were too distressed to talk.

A family spokesman told the Gazette Gary would be dearly missed, not only by his family, but by the large number of friends he had.

He said: “Gary was a great lad. He was kind and polite and we just cannot believe he is gone.

“He had a fine smile and a great sense of fun, which we will always remember him for. He will be greatly missed.”

Gary was a keen footballer, playing in midfield for FC Old Heath, and was a former pupil at Thomas, Lord Audley School, in Monkwick Avenue, Colchester.

Simon Maythan, deputy headteacher, said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of Gary’s death.

“He left the school in 2008, was an able and well-liked student amongst his peers and staff. The whole school community has been greatly shocked by this tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

After taking his GCSEs, Gary became a student at Colchester Institute, in Sheepen Road, where he was in the middle of his first year.

Christian Norman, head of business and management at the college, said: “Gary was a popular and hard-working student. He was studying on the first year of the BTEC national diploma in public services, with an ambition to become a firefighter. With his focused attitude, we have no doubt he would have succeeded.

“He was extremely well-liked by all and will be greatly missed by both his fellow students and teachers. Our thoughts are with Gary’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

The vicar of Old Heath, Father Richard Tillbrook, said he had known the teenager for six years.

“He was a charming and kind-hearted young man,” he recalled, “and worked very hard to achieve the best he could in his short life. He had a wide circle of friends, but he never forgot the importance of his family.

“Gary was known and loved in the wider community here at Old Heath and, of course, at Thomas, Lord Audley School. He will be missed by young and old and our prayers and thoughts are with his grieving family.”

He added: “Prayers have already been offered in church, and we will continue to light candles and pray for him and his family.”

Gary’s funeral will take place at St Barnabas, but the family have not yet fixed a date.

l The driver, a 17-year-old girl, from West Mersea, was treated at Colchester General Hospital for serious, but not life-threatening injuries.