TRIBUTES have been paid to a Southampton dad who was killed in a car crash on a Hampshire motorway.

Kevin Burton, 45, died after his silver Ford Focus collided with a DAF articulated lorry on the M27 eastbound near junction 9 at Whiteley.

Now his wife Rachael, 43, and children James, nine and Abigail, six, have released a statement paying tribute to the father-of-two.

"We are devastated by Kevin’s death, he was our rock. Kevin was a loving and devoted husband to Rachael and a wonderful and dedicated dad to his two children, James and Abigail.

"Kevin will be deeply missed by all he knew; he was a man who was always there for his family, friends and colleagues, always willing to help whenever he could.

"He will be missed for his passion for all things Star Wars, his love of technology, music and movies. His friends of old remember him as ‘Kevin b-sides’, we loved him just as Kev.

"We are left at a loss as to why he was taken from us now and feel a massive hole is in our hearts.

"We are thankful for the comfort of our family and friends who have expressed their sincere regret at the loss of Kevin in this tragic accident on the 26th March.”

Daily Echo:

The scene of the crash on the M27

The incident closed the motorway for almost 24 hours as recovery work and road resurfacing took place to ensure it was safe for other motorists.