Colleagues today paid tribute to a taxi driver killed in a pile-up on a main road.

Derek Ferguson, of Chawbrook Road, Eastbourne, was driving four special needs pupils home from St Anne's School in Lewes on Monday when his Skoda Octavia was involved in the smash on the A27 at Firle Straight, near Lewes.

His boss Don Fricker, of Polegate-based taxi company Direct Travel, said the driver would be greatly missed by all who worked with him.

Mr Fricker said: "It's a small company and everybody knows everybody. It's really a sad loss.

"What can you say at times like this? It's something that hits you out of the blue."

Mr Ferguson worked with 35 other drivers and had started the job only two months ago.

Mr Fricker said: "He was a nice fellow and very hard working. He did a bit of everything here. He was a good worker.

"He hadn't been here that long, a little over two months, but you get to know people."

Mr Ferguson worked as a coach driver before he joined Direct Travel.

Firefighters from Uckfield worked with cutting equipment to free Mr Ferguson who was transferred to the District General Hospital, Eastbourne, by helicopter.

Surgeons fought to save his life but he died the same day.

The four children were also taken to the hospital.

A 14-year-old boy suffered a broken pelvis and a 14-year-old girl had severe whiplash.

A 15-year-old girl was released from hospital and was recovering at home with severe cuts and bruises.

A 13-year-old boy was badly shaken but released from hospital to return to school yesterday.

Police have begun piecing together events which led up to the smash.

A Rover being driven west along the A27 collided with Mr Ferguson's Skoda Octavia.

The Skoda went into the path of a lorry, while the Rover swerved into the path of a Ford Fiesta and a van.

A Peugeot in front of the lorry was also involved.

The 24-year-old driver of the Rover, from Hove, escaped with cuts and bruises. He was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and freed on bail.

The 27-year-old driver of the lorry, from Yorkshire, suffered shoulder injuries and shock.

A 35-year-old woman from Eastbourne, behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta, suffered whiplash and internal bruising.

The drivers of the VW van and Peugeot escaped unhurt.

Sergeant Kevin Donovan, from the Road Policing Department, said: "The road was closed for some seven hours which inevitably led to congestion on the surrounding road network."

Police asked witnesses to contact Inspector Natalie Carron, of the Polegate Road Policing Department on 0845 6070999.