Firefighter dies after collision

An off-duty firefighter has died after the Kawasaki motorcycle he was riding collided with a car.

Stephen Capp, who was 39, died in Southend Hospital after the rush hour crash on Bread and Cheese Hill in Benfleet, Essex.

The father-of-five lived in Yately in Hampshire and had been a firefighter in Essex for two years serving as a member of white watch in Hadleigh.

The driver of the Ford Mondeo was a local woman who was unhurt.

Chief fire officer David Johnson said: "The thoughts of the entire service are with the family of firefighter Capp and we have all been shocked and saddened by this news.

"Steve was a father-of-five and lived in Yately, Hampshire, and has served with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for two years.

"He was also a retained firefighter with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service."