Tributes to 'one in a million' young man killed on his way to get a late-night McDonald's

George Herd was a passenger in a blue Mini Cooper that was in collision with a black Kia Picanto at 11.05pm on Tuesday, January 20. He died at the scene. The Picanto driver, a man in his 60s, was taken to hospital but also died.

In a statement, the family of George, 18, said: “Our beautiful, kind and caring George. We as a family are devastatingly heartbroken. George truly was one in a million. Gifted with Asperger’s and ASD, he viewed this world differently through loving eyes and was proud of who he was - as were we.

“He cared for his grandparents and family when they were poorly, always offering cups of tea, running errands and asking if everyone was okay. He was always there for his friends in difficult times.

“He was exceptionally bright, with everything to live for. Nothing was ever too much trouble. George enjoyed the simple things in life, preferring the company of his family and his group of fabulous, like‑minded friends. Being surrounded by his own comforts was where he was most content, but he also loved quirky gaming, anime and WrestleMania.

“He worked alongside his brother programming cars, which he really enjoyed, before returning to college. He had qualified as an accountant and was partway through a business NVQ with a view to starting his own company.

“George loved his brother Harry and his four sisters – Poppy, Daisy and Lily, who shared his birthday, and especially his youngest sister Rosie – with all his heart. He really was the gentle giant of the family. He would have made an amazing husband and father one day, and his life was just getting started. His honesty and integrity bordered on hilarity at times.

“He left our home that night happy and laughing, heading for a McDonald’s with one of his best friends. Four minutes later he was no longer with us. His TV was left on and his computer was logged in, ‘farming’, awaiting a gaming tournament with his American online friends of five years.

“He was a gifted gamer who everyone wanted on their team. He was loved by absolutely everyone who met him. We will never recover from his loss and miss him terribly already. He was the ever‑consistent one in the family – the only one who never lost his phone, keys or bank card, and always knew where everything was.

“He was a kind gentleman with a love for our ponies, cats, dogs and animals. His camera roll was full of photos of them. His outlook on life was love, laughter and being himself.

“It will always be the day our lives changed forever, but as a tribute to him we will try to ‘be more George’.”

His family added that they wanted to thank members of the public who first reached the crash scene and called the emergency services, as well as the services who responded.

They added: “Our family arrived moments after as George was on Life360. We witnessed the team’s efficient and tireless efforts, and we are comforted knowing everything possible was done.”

The collision happened in Ship Lane, Aveley, near Thurrock Football Club. Police said last week that the driver of the Mini, an 18-year-old man, was in hospital with serious injuries.

Essex Police say their enquiries into the collision are continuing and that they need anyone with information to come forward. Anyone who may be able to help - whether it is with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage - can call the force on 101, quoting incident 1231 of January 20, or visit its website.