FAMILIES and friends gathered to pay tribute to two of their friends who tragically lost their lives in a car crash in 2013.

People from different areas of Southampton crowded the car park at Hedge End Trade Park to remember Dean Paling from Botley and Tom Emery, from West End, after they died on December 2, 2013.

Tom, who was 24, was driving a Mitsubishi Lancer and Dean, 23, was in the passenger seat when they lost control of the car. The vehicle smashed into a tree and then flipped onto its roof.

Since that tragic event three years ago, their families and friends meet at the car park in Hedge End to pay tribute to Dean and Tom on the anniversary. The car park is a symbolic place as they used to meet there to chat about cars and spend time together.

Luke Simpson, 22, car dealer and Dean's friend, from Southampton, said: "This memorial is very important to us and it would mean a lot to him. It feels he is still with us.”

Tom and Dean had a huge passion for cars and this is how they met most of the people that gathered to pay tribute.

Lisa Gurd, 30, carer ,from Southampton, was one of Dean's best friends and has his car's registration number written on the rear windshield of her car. "His car's registration number is his surname and that's how everyone knows little Dean", she said.

Dean Stoneman, 26, racing driver from Southampton and Dean’s best friend, was the last person who spoke to them that night while they were in the car driving home from Portsdown Hill. “I called them at 11pm and they died eight minutes later”, he said. “The passion for cars brought them together that night. It’s been already three years and this evening is to remember them.”

Dean used to run a powerboat with his best friend while Tom was a mechanic and worked with Dave Blatch,40,mechanic, from Southampton who said: "He loved cars and used to come down here, that’s why this memorial is very important.”

Carol Paling, 45, Dean’s mum, said that the memorial makes her feel very proud because she knows that people have not forgotten the two young men.