A family has paid tribute to a ‘loving, faithful wife and beloved mother’ who died last week following a crash between a car and a van.

Iris May Harvey, aged 83, passed away on Monday (December 14) after the crash in Epping New Road, Loughton, at 4.50pm the previous Thursday.

The family of Iris, from Stapleford Abbotts, released a statement on Saturday (December 19) saying: “She was a loving, faithful wife to Leonard for 61 years and the beloved mother of Jeffrey and Andrew.

“She will remain in the hearts and thoughts of those who loved her, especially her son Jeffrey.

“Thankfully she is now at peace.”

Essex Police are still investigating the crash, between a black Mercedes and a white Ford Transit van.

Iris was a passenger in the Mercedes and suffered serious injuries.

She was taken to the Royal London Hospital but sadly died four days later.

The drivers of the Mercedes and Ford Transit suffered minor injuries.

Police officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision.

Anybody who has any information who has not already spoken to police is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Essex Police on 101.

They can also email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.