WORK colleagues of a Thurrock taxi driver killed in an early morning crash yesterday have paid tribute to him.

And the widow of 65-year-old Norman Bullock, Moira, says he was 'her best friend and soul mate and she will miss him dreadfully'.

Mr Bullock died in a crash on the A128 in the early hours of Monday, 5 October. The driver of the other vehicle, who was said to have been driving erratically, fled the scene and is currently being hunted by police.

Mr Bullock worked for Grays-based Thameside Taxis and was well-known, liked and respected across the Grays community.

A resident of Hathaway Gardens, he had worked for Thameside for eight years and was highly regarded by customers.

Tanya Harrington, a director of Thameside Taxis, said: "Norman had been with Thameside for eight years and liked to be called Norm.

"He had only recently returned to work since the March lock down.

"He was a great man and will be missed dearly by me and the team at Thameside."

The crash happened around 3.30am on the A128 Brentwood Road at its junction with the B188 in Orsett, where the red Peugeot 308 taxi driven by Mr Bullock and a black BMW X5 collided.

Thurrock Nub News understands the BMW had been stolen and was being driven with false plates.

Its driver, after foiling an attempt to be apprehended by a lorry driver who stopped at the scene to help, left the scene before emergency services arrived.

The car was left behind and has been taken by police for a forensic search.

The road was closed until around 12.30pm while forensic examination work was carried out.

Police say they are continuing their search for the driver of the BMW and anyone else who may have been in that car.

A statement from Essex Police said: "We have been progressing our enquiries and would like to speak to anyone who saw the collision and saw anyone leaving the scene.

"We'd also like to speak to drivers who were in the area at the time and saw a black BMW X5 before the collision, or saw anyone on foot or who may have been picked up by a vehicle in the area of Conways Road at around the time.

"Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email [email protected] incident number 99 of 5 October.

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Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.