TRIBUTES have continued to flood in for two young men killed in a horror smash on a Hampshire road.

Scores of flowers and heartfelt messages in memory of best pals Dean Paling and Tom Emery line grass verge where the pair lost their lives.

Officers are continuing to investigate why the Mitsibishi Lancer the two motoring enthusiasts were travelling in left the road and flipped on to its roof on Monday night.

Tom, 24, from Southampton, who worked as a technician at Martins Group and was a big Saints fan, was hauled from the driver’s seat by one of the first motorists to arrive at the scene after the crash.

Dean, 23, a former powerboat champion from Botley, was later freed from the front passenger seat by the emergency services, but both men died at the scene.

A packet of cigars is placed inside a bouquet of flowers left from Martins of Winchester left on the grass verge in memory of Tom – a former Eastleigh College student.

The accompanying message reads: “Massive loss, sadly missed, fantastic technician, rest in peace.”

Dean, often known as Little Dean, famously won the powerboat P1 Superstock UK championship as navigator for Hampshire racing driver Dean Stoneham last year A blue Alpine Motorsport T-shirt laid at the roadside reads: “Will miss you Deano from Cutters.”

Another bouquet reads: “Dean, gone too soon, sleep tight. Tracey, Karl, Jade, Daniel and Amber.”

Andy May co-owns Paling & May car body repair workshop with Dean’s uncle James, where the former Wildern School pupil, who had cystic fibrosis, worked.

Yesterday Mr May said: “He was a lovely lad and was loved by so many people.

“I’ve known him since he was very young and he always loved cars. It is all still so raw and it is so hard with everyone.”

Other mementos left there include a red-and-white school tie, a Sea Scouts scarf and many lanterns and candles.

The previous night hundreds of tearful friends held a vigil at Hedge End Retail Park where they let off lanterns into the night sky and set up a shrine in their memory.

Officers are expected to formally identify the two men later today.

They are appealing for witnesses to the crash, on the B2177 Southwick Road near Boarhunt.

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire police on 101.