FRIENDS of a Witney teenager killed in a motorway crash last night paid tribute to “an amazing person”.

Aaron Waller, of Thorney Leys, Witney, was driving a Renault Clio back from Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, at 7am on Saturday, when it crashed off the M40.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident, and said the car hit a tree before catching fire between junctions three and four, near High Wycombe.

The 18-year-old was declared dead at the scene, while passenger Nathan Clarke, also from Witney, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, suffering serious injuries.

He was last night recovering in hospital, and friends said he was in a stable condition.

Best friend Peter Hanley, 18, who went to Queen’s Dyke Primary School and Henry Box secondary school with Mr Waller, said he had gone to Southend to see friends.

However, Mr Waller was heading back to Witney to play up front for FC Chequers Reserves in a match later in the day.

He said: “He was just a really bubbly guy, who would have fun, go out and play football, and always had lots of mates around him. He was just a lovely guy.

“He loved Oxford United, and also followed Chelsea, and would always try to watch them both.

“We just had so many laughs together — going out dancing in Witney and Oxford.

“Whenever he went out in Witney, there were always about 20 people talking to him.”

Mr Waller worked at weekends with his father at Mac’s Garage, in Burford Road, Witney, and had a passion for cars.

Mr Hanley said: “He loved his cars, especially VW Golfs. He had a Mark I Golf that was off the road, and he was trying to fix it up.”

Cody Davies, 18, who also went to school with Mr Waller, said: “He was a top, top bloke — an amazing person.

“He was always having a laugh and making people smile.

“He was a cracking friend. His dad is a mechanic, and he was going to come round on Sunday and fix my car — he was always willing to help.

“He has been Oxford United all his life. But he also liked Chelsea, because he had a mate with a season ticket. But he was loving Oxford United this year as they were doing so well!”

He added: “Going to football at Oxford with him are the best memories I have, and just spending time with him — he used to put a smile on people’s faces.

“He loved Oasis, and went to see them at Wembley recently, and he said that was one of the best times of his life.”

Mr Waller had been looking forward to playing for FC Chequers against Minster Lovell Reserves in the Witney and District League this Saturday, because he was friends with a number of the opposition. Players from both clubs are set to pay tribute to him before kick off at Madley Park. Mr Davies said: “He had tickets to see Chelsea away at Wigan on Saturday, but he gave them away to a mate because he really wanted to play in that match.”