HUNDREDS of people came to pay their respects to Hughie Saunders yesterday, the much-loved man who was killed aged just 20.


Six horses pulled a small carriage out of Holy Cross Catholic Church in South Ockendon at about 1pm, carrying a coffin with Hughie’s body inside. 

People were visibly distressed at the funeral, with one woman being physically supported by other funeral goers as she left the church.


When the horses and carriage left the church’s grounds it headed towards Stanford-le-Hope, with people hugging and wiping away tears.


People clapped and shouted ‘Go on Quhey’ as the horse led the carriage through the crowds while being followed by a cohort of Rolls Royce’s carrying Hughie’s nearest and dearest.


Some people, who were close to Hughie, wore pink ties and cravats, which were then placed in the grave where Hughie was laid to rest. 


Hughie Saunders, who was also known as Quhey and lived in Stanford-le-Hope, suffered serious head injuries after being attacked on the petrol station forecourt at the M25 Cobham Services on Monday, June 26. 

He died two days later in hospital.

An organ donor, his heart was donated to save a stranger's life.

A huge red and white wreath of flowers was displayed on the back of a truck - with the words ‘the heart of our family’ on it.

Inside the carriage there was a blue coffin holding Hughie and behind it a large picture of him wearing the notable pink tie.

The procession arrived at Stanford-le-Hope cemetery at about 2.30pm.By this point, funeral goers went into the Inn on the Green pub, which held a banner with photos of Hughie.

The banner read: “Now just don’t leave my mind, our Quhey.”

Because of the large number of vehicles parked in awkward places and the high volume of road users, traffic almost came to a halt outside the Inn on the Green pub and Essex police intervened and direct the traffic.

Mikey Coyle, 21, of Barnes, and Simon Baker, 22, of Outwood, have been charged with his murder.