TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager with a passion for mechanics who died after his motorbike collided with a van on a busy Essex road.Michael Texeira, 19, from Braintree, lost his fight for life on Wednesday in Queen's Hospital, Romford, 24 hours after suffering serious head injuries in the accident.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager with a passion for mechanics who died after his motorbike collided with a van on a busy Essex road.

Michael Texeira, 19, from Braintree, lost his fight for life on Wednesday in Queen's Hospital, Romford, 24 hours after suffering serious head injuries in the accident.

He came off his black Suzuki motorbike when it was in collision with a green Seat Toledo as both vehicles travelled along the A120 near Coggeshall on Tuesday afternoon.

Yesterday, Mr Texeira's family described him as a “popular” young man, who had hoped one day to become a London taxi driver like his father.

A statement issued by his parents, Lorraine and Owen, said he was “much loved” by his sisters Natalie and Hayley, girlfriend Tracey, and all who knew him.

They told how Mr Texeira worked for car park operators NCP at Stansted Airport and that he enjoyed his work as he loved meeting different people.

They said: “On his days off he liked nothing more than tinkering with mechanics, dismantling and rebuilding cars and motorcycles.

“Michael had aspirations to follow his father's footsteps to become a London taxi driver.”

Mr and Mrs Texeira said their son was “very popular” and had a huge number of friends.

They added: “He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.”

The accident left the driver of the Seat, a 60-year-old man from Halstead, and his female passenger receiving treatment for shock at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

The crash happened close to the junction with Holfield Grange and police have issued an appeal for witnesses.

Anyone who saw the crash is asked to contact Bocking Road Policing Unit on 01376 330722.