Two young men who died in a crash on the M25 in Surrey were on their way to Amsterdam for a weekend trip, the Mirror can reveal.
Named locally as Jamie Baines, 31, and Adeel Qureshi, 28, they were passengers in a car which is understood to have collided with a lamppost on the central reservation.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene near to junction eight in Reigate following reports of the incident at around 3am on Thursday (February 23).
A third passenger - thought to be in his 20s - remains in a critical condition in hospital, though it's understood the driver, aged 31, has been discharged and returned home.
The group had set out in the early hours from Bristol, with another friend having to pull out at the last minute because he couldn't get anyone to look after his dog.
Have you been affected by this story? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk
A friend - who did not wish to be named - told the Mirror: "They were driving to Dover to get on the ferry over to Amsterdam.
"Friends went out there to the crash site last night [Friday] and they laid flowers and tributes."
Describing Jamie, he said: "He was a bubbly, outgoing guy, just loved his bikes. Always out on the bikes. He used to go to the tracks. It was more of a hobby but he did it all the time."
Referring to the other friend who didn't go on the trip, he said: "If he could have got someone to look after the dog he would have been on that trip so he’s counting his blessings."
Adeel's brother shared a death notice on his Facebook page and wrote: "RIP MY LITTLE BRO", while another tribute said: "RIP MY LITTLE SOLDIER."
Surrey Police urged motorists to avoid the area on Thursday and appealed for witnesses to the tragic crash.
A force statement said at the time: “A 31-year-old man and 28-year-old man have sadly died at the scene.
"Two other men have been taken to hospital with serious injuries.”
They added: “Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road traffic collision on the M25 at Bletchingley at around 3am today (February 23).
“The collision, involving one vehicle, took place near the junction with the M23.”
The Mirror has contacted Surrey Police for further comment.
