by Frances Christian-Acquaah

Tributes have been paid to a "quiet man" who died in an accident on the M11.

Zdzislaw Piorko, 53, of Maidstone, was killed when his lorry was in a crash with a coach between junctions 9 (Great Chesterford) and 8 (Stansted Airport) of the motorway, in Essex in the early hours of Saturday.

A coach passenger was also killed. The two-year-old Volvo bus was carrying 49 passengers and was en route to a one-day shopping trip in Belgium.

Mr Piorko lived with his partner Bozena and her 20-year-old son. He also has a son, Maceij, who is 30 and lives in Poland with his two young children.

His family described him as "a quiet man who was very interested in news and current affairs who liked to keep himself up to date with the day to day goings-on in the world."

Mr Piorko had been working in the UK as a lorry driver since he moved here from Poland about six years ago, but had been driving lorries for 30 years. His family added: "He was a very positive and happy man with a colourful outlook on life."

Bozena said: "He will be missed and cried for by all who knew him. He was like a father to his partner's daughter."

Six other passengers were injured.

Police are still investigating the events that led to the accident and are appealing for any witnesses to contact the roads policing team at Dunmow with information on 0300 333 4444.