A CLOSE friend of a Witney man killed when his car hit a tree on a notorious stretch of Oxfordshire road today paid tribute to him as "a great guy" who got on with everyone.

The family of Matthew Melly, 33, also released a short statement about their loss.

Mr Melly died as firefighters attempted to free him from his vehicle on the B4477 Brize Norton Road on Saturday night.

It was the second accident at the same spot in three years and it emerged today that Oxfordshire County Council is planning to introduce a 50mph limit on the road.

Mr Melly, 33, lived in a recently-built flats complex at The Old Coach Yard, Witney.

He was originally from South Africa and worked as a technician in the computer industry.

He was also well-known among Harley-Davidson motorcyclists as one of the founder members of the Oxford chapter.

Fellow enthusiast Eddie Fowler said: "He was a great guy and a good friend, he will be missed.

"I can only describe him as a fun-loving guy liked by everyone.

"It's come as a terrible shock to us, I only heard about it on Sunday.

"He was number one when we set up the Oxford chapter five years ago, I was number eight.

"There are now 250-odd members and I hope there will be an entourage of us for his funeral."

His parents are believed to live in London and own a family house in Cyprus.

Through police, his family said: "Matthew Melly of Witney died tragically on March 29.

"Our loving, friendly and always helpful son, brother and friend will be terribly missed by his loving parents Derek and Vicky, his loving sister Paula, as well as his many friends in the area.

"Rest in peace Matt until we ride together again."

Mr Melly was travelling alone in a silver Vauxhall Astra towards Minster Lovell at about 9pm.

The car crashed into a tree on a small bend about 100 yards from an underpass and slip road on to the A40.

The same tree claimed another life in August, 2006, when 27-year-old Anthony Payne, a serviceman at RAF Brize Norton, lost control of his motorcycle.

In June last year, motorcyclist Jacqueline Scott, 44, died when she was in collision with a car near the location.

Those accidents led County Hall to review the 60mph rural road speed limit.

County council spokesman Paul Smith said: "Our road safety team says that in response to the previous poor accident history on this stretch of road, a 50mph speed limit is due to be implemented during spring this year."

Resident Warwick Robinson, who lives in the last house on the edge of Minster Lovell and nearest to the crash scene, said: "I actually don't think that stretch of road is any more dangerous than any other rural road in west Oxfordshire."

Witnesses to Saturday night's accident are urged to call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.