Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died following a crash in Waltham Abbey.

The man named locally as father of one Usama Karbhari is the son of ex-Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Siraj Karbhari. Mr Karbhari was a councillor in the borough between 1991 and 1995.

The crash between a car and a van happened near the junction with Fishers Green Lane at around 3.45am on Sunday, 4 July.

A close family friend said, “Everyone is shocked and saddened by the death. The family are very upset.

“It is a very tragic time for the family we ask everyone to include them in their prayers as the holy month comes to an end.”

A statement from Essex Police read, “We were contacted at around 3.45am today with reports of a collision involving a grey Volkswagen Golf and a white Mercedes in Crooked Mile near the junction with Fishers Green Lane.

“A man, who is believed to be 33 and from London, was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he sadly died from his injuries.

“The road closures in place were lifted at around 1pm today.

“A 28-year-old man from Nazeing has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

“We are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to trace the driver and passengers of a taxi which stopped at the scene to help before emergency services arrived.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.”