Hayes car crash kills 3 boys: First picture tributes paid to promising young footballer

The boys, all aged 16, lost their lives despite police and the ambulance service’s efforts to save them.

The teenagers were hit by a black Audi car near an Esso petrol station in Hayes, on the M4 Junction 4 after 8.30pm last night.

Harry Rice, 16, has been named as one of the victims of the car crash, the other two have been named locally as George and Josh. 

Harry was a talented football striker and played for the semi-professional side of Farnborough Town Football Club. 

Chairman of the football club, Simon Gardener, said to Express.co.uk: “We are absolutely devastated and condolences go out to Harry’s family and friends”. 

Friends have been giving messages of support to Harry’s mum.

Lesley Taberer said: “Heartbreaking and heartbroken for you and your family”. 

Brandon Hay wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely gutted to hear the news about you Harry, it has been a pleasure being able to play with you on the pitch, I hope you are your mates rest well up there RIP Harry and your two mates.” 

The birthday party they had intended to go to was held at Goals football club, which is just 900 yards away from the bus stop where the incident took place in Shepiston Lane. 

Other teenagers present at the scene in west London were not injured.

Today, family and friends walked hand in hand to place flowers along railings on the side of the road. Adults struggled to contain their emotions with some breaking down in tears as they came face to face with the crash scene.

One tribute read: “George Boy, I love you so much, love Kev, Vinnie.”

Another card read: “To my bro, always together for ever” and another said: “To my darling baby boi my heart is broken, love mum, Vinnie”. 

One distraught friend said: “I spoke to one of the boys here last night, they both saw their mates in pieces on the floor.

“George and Josh were best mates and stuck together like glue, like Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

“They were all lovely, lovely boys, the best boys you could meet.”

Another said: “I thought I would never have to write this and I don’t know what to write but I will always love and miss you millions.”

Hillingdon councillor Janet Gardner described the collision as “incredibly sad”.

She said: “My heart breaks for the parents and families and friends of those killed. I cannot begin to imagine how they are going to cope with the loss of such special young people.”

The Metropolitan Police were called at 8:41pm on Friday, January 26 and arrested a 28-year-old who was in the car at the time and was then taken to a local hospital for treatment. 

A photograph of a severely damaged car shows the bonnet crumbled, with the left front wheel completely torn off.

The windscreen has been shattered and airbags can be seen having gone off inside the car.

Another image shows a wall and fence close to the bus stop knocked down, which is where the crash happened. 

It is believed the Audi mounted the pavement just outside the entrance to a nearby Esso petrol station and travelled a few metres down the road before colliding with a lamp post.

Roadside recovery firm security guard Tony Kitchin, 44, works next to where the teenager were killed said the road was a death trap where “lunatics” often break the speed limit.

Detective Jane Shaw, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “These are horrific circumstances that have resulted in three young people losing their lives; I need anyone who saw what happened to contact police immediately.

“Did you see this Audi before the collision, or in the moments leading up to it? I would urge you to speak to us to assist us with our investigation.”

The boys have not been formally identified but the next of kin has been informed. 

The Metropolitan Police’s Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating the incident, but say it is not terror related.

Investigators have said they are trying to establish the sequence of events that led up to the collision.

The road was closed while the incident was investigated, but the closure has since been lifted.

Staff at the Esso garage close to the tragic accident said a group of teenagers had been fighting at the entrance but he did not know if it was at all related. 

Anyone with information should call police on 0208 991 9555 quoting ref 7843 of 26 January, or call 101, or tweet @MetCC. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.