Family of Saffron Walden teenager killed on the M11 pay tribute to their ‘wonderful caring boy’

THE family of a Saffron Walden teenager who died after being hit by a lorry on the M11 motorway have described him as “a wonderful caring boy”.

Thomas Lanham, 18, of De Bohun Court, Saffron Walden, was pronounced dead at the scene following the collision between Junction 8 and 9 on the southbound carriageway of the motorway shortly after 10pm on Monday night (July 29).

In a statement, his family said: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our bright gentle beloved Tom, a wonderful caring boy. His depth of knowledge and maturity and understanding of the world was beyond his years.

“A bouncy happy light in our lives who had matured into a splendid young man we are so fiercely proud of.”

Thomas was hit by the lorry on a stretch of the motorway about a mile south of Chestnut Avenue, Saffron Walden.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A section of the carriageway was closed for about five hours while forensic collision investigators carried out their enquiries to determine the cause of the crash.

Officers have asked any witnesses to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or e-mail collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk

If you would like to pay tribute to Thomas, please e-mail editor@saffronwalden-reporter.co.uk