FRIENDS have paid tribute to a gifted musician and “perfect Samaritan” who died following a crash involving an off-duty police officer near Southend Hospital.

Colin Edwards, 75, died in hospital on October 26 and is set to be laid to rest at St Alban’s Church, Westcliff, on Thursday.

Ahead of the funeral, friends of Colin, who lived in Helen Road, Southchurch, have paid tribute to him as well as praising his work with mental health charity Samaritans.

Following the crash, in Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff, Essex Police confirmed the driver of the car was an off-duty police officer and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was released on police bail and an investigation will be carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Close friend and fellow Southend Bach Choir member Gillian Purnell, who knew Colin since he was a teenager, described him as “a wonderful musician”.

She said: “You couldn’t fault him; he really knew his music well.

“No tribute can really express the loss we all feel from his passing. We’re still in shock, it’s like a bad dream.”

Born in Southend on April 20, 1948, Colin dedicated his life to music, studying it at University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music.

He taught music in the north west of England and later worked as the Head of Music Services for Stockport Council.

He returned to Southend in 2001 and became musical director of the Southend Bach Choir.

Colin also worked for the Southend branch of mental health charity Samaritans for 20 years. Branch director Sharon Gatland says he was “the perfect Samaritan”.

She said: “Not only was he the most kind, gentlest man, he was a mentor within Samaritans as well. The support he would have given our callers over the years will be incalculable. He was very special. I always said if I ever needed to call Samaritans, I hope I’d get him.”

A spokesman for the Rayleigh Sweyne Singers group, of which Colin was also musical director, said: “He was the kindest, most musical man you’ll ever know. His musicality was wonderful. He was a very compassionate man.

Colin's friends will perform at a carol concert in aid of homelessness charity HARP at St Andrews Church, Westcliff, on Saturday at 7pm.