A YOUNG man who died in a single-vehicle road accident in Saffron Walden has been remembered as “adaptable and reliable”.

Liam Montana was just two weeks into a new job as a chef at The Eight Bells in Bridge Street, Saffron Walden, when the accident happened on his way home from work on Friday.

The youngster was a “popular member of the team” at The Eight Bells and had a promising career ahead of him, according to his boss.

Manager Kris Borg said: “Liam was only here for two weeks but he was an integral part of the team. He was a nice guy and good to work with.

“He enjoyed his cooking, put in a lot of effort and was a promising talent. He would have been a key player in our kitchen.”

He added: “Liam’s death has come as a real shock and he will be sorely missed. We really feel for his family and our thoughts go out to them.”

It is understood that Mr Montana had only recently moved to Steventon End in Ashdon to live with his father.

He was a former student at Longsands College in St Neots, where he grew up, and qualified as a professional chef from Cambridge Regional College in 2009.

Executive principal at Longsands, Robert Whatmough, said: “Liam is remembered by staff as a very cheerful and friendly young man. One of his teachers recalls visiting him on work experience where he showed himself to be very adaptable and reliable.

“We are very saddened by what has happened. Our sympathy goes to his sister, Emma, who also attended Longsands College and to all other members of his family.”

His tutor at Cambridge Regional College, Phil Vincent, said he had been an outstanding student when he was at the college.

“Liam was at the college for three years and was part of an outstanding group of students on the Level 3 Advanced Professional Chef’s course,” he said.

“He was a great guy, willing to help others and very hard-working. He was a popular student and made lots of friends when he was here. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, and our thoughts are with his family.”

Police say that Mr Montana was driving his blue Ford Fiesta in Springwell Road towards the Chesterfords when it left the road, struck a tree and ended up on its roof, shortly before 11.40pm. No other vehicle was involved.

Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment and airbags to release Mr Montana, who was then taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he later died.

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to call the central road policing unit on 0300 333 4444.

DID you know Liam Montana? Would you like to pay a tribute to him? Get in touch with us by e-mailing editor@saffronwalden-reporter.co.uk