A COMMUNITY was today coming to terms with a horrific car crash that killed three young Blackburn men and left a fourth fighting for his life.

Tearful friends and family of driver Shakil Mohammed Ahmed, 27, have been gathering at his family home in Tenby Close, while relatives and friends of passengers Makhdoom Ali, 24, and Shamsuddin Desai, 18, gathered their homes in Whitewell Place and at relatives' homes in Dunsop Street and Hodder Place to mourn their deaths.

The family of third passenger Urphan Patel, also from Blackburn, were today waiting for news after the 23-year-old was taken to Royal Preston Hospital in a critical condition.

A 24-year-old cousin of Makhdoom Ali, who did not want to be identified, paid tribute to the 24-year-old who died when the car he was in crashed into a tree.

He said: "Makhdoom was a bubbly and funny person and was always smiling. He was close to his mum and had three brothers and three sisters. He got on with everyone and if anyone was down he used to cheer them up.

"I saw him for the last time about half an hour before he was in the accident. He had just passed his driving theory test so he was very happy. I think they must have just gone for a little drive somewhere.

"Everyone is shocked. It's like a star has gone out. He loved life and loved enjoying himself. His nickname was Biggie because he was a big bloke. He will be missed by a lot of people.

"The four of them were really good friends and I knew them all. We are still waiting to hear how Urphan is but because we are not relatives the hospital won't tell us much."

Nazir and Rifat Ahmed, of Tenby Close, also paid tribute to their son, Shakil, who they last saw the afternoon of the accident, describing him as a 'family man'.

The family of Shamsuddin Desai were too upset to talk about their son.

Police inquiries into the accident, which happened at 11.25pm on Wednesday, were continuing today..

The Honda Legend had been travelling along the A59 Preston New Road to Blackburn when the accident happened.

It left the dual carriageway around half a mile from junction 31 of the M6, at Samlesbury, and was split in two when it hit a tree.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01695 566486.