THE family of a 20-year-old man from Southampton who died after a motorway crash say he will "remain in our memories and hearts".

Luke Shaw's loved ones say a "light has gone out in all our lives" since his death on June 29, following the collision three days before.

He was the backseat passenger in a car that was involved in a crash on the M27, dying in hospital from the injuries he suffered.

The blue Vauxhall Corsa had been travelling eastwards on the M27 between Fareham and Portsmouth when it was involved in the collision at about 11.15pm on June 26.

The two other men in the car, a 20-year-old and a 19-year-old, were also taken to hospital but have since been discharged.

Luke, from Carey Road in Thornhill, worked at Kwik Fit in Shirley and had just completed an apprenticeship as a technician.

Paying tribute to the former Redbridge Community School student, mum Tracy Pearce said: “Luke was a son, a brother and an uncle. He was loved by many.

“Although Luke may not be with us in person anymore, he will always remain in our memories and most importantly our hearts.

“Since passing, a light has gone out in all our lives.”

And dad Gary Shaw said: “Luke was not only my son, he was my best friend.

“I am so proud of the man he had become and all he achieved, particularly in his job at Kwit Fit where he was extremely respected, loved and valued.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo, the 49-year-old added: "He was happy go lucky, he would do something to help anyone."

Luke's former boss at Kwik Fit in Shirley, where he had worked for three years, also paid tribute to him.

Kevin Mcentee said all of his former colleagues at the centre in Park Street were "heartbroken", saying: "He was a very kind young lad, nothing was ever, ever a problem with him.

"He was just a nice young man to be around. It's such a shock to the system what's happened.

"He was doing really well with his work."

Friends have also posted their own tributes on social media, with one describing him as "a lovely young man with his whole life ahead of him he saw the best in people and was taken too soon".

Members of Luke's family have launched an appeal to raise £1,000 towards his funeral.

The donation page is at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/LukeShawCharity

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would like to hear from any witnesses who saw the incident or the blue Corsa before the crash.

Anyone with information can call 101 and quote reference number 44160238596 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.