Dad tells of grief after son dies in horror smash

Jack Hamilton, 24, and best friend Anthony Butler, 25, were thrown through the windscreen of a gold Ford Focus when it hit a tree on Lea Lane, Lea, Preston, at around 4pm on Monday.

The lifelong pals were killed instantly and Jack’s father Neil Hamilton today paid an emotional tribute to his son.

The 50-year-old from Mendip Road, Leyland said: “It is heartbreaking. I’m gutted. I’m still in shock.

“He will be sadly missed by many. It is just such a shock.

“I never thought I’d have this horrible feeling of losing a child, especially like this.”

Jack, a painter and decorator, lived with his girlfriend Sophie in New Hall Lane, Preston.

Neil is struggling to come to terms with his son’s sudden death. He said: “Anthony was his best friend. They grew up together on the Green in Ribbleton.

“Anthony was driving. The police told me that Jack was a passenger in the front seat.

“He went through the windscreen, and he had bad facial and head injuries. I wanted to know if he suffered, the police said he wouldn’t have felt it.

“It would be better to know if he hadn’t suffered.

“We are waiting for them to release the body then I can go and say goodbye.”

The back seat passenger, a 23-year-old man, was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital with serious injuries including a fractured pelvis and leg injuries.

He is still in hospital and Lancashire police are investigating the cause of the accident.

PS Adam Dawson of the Road Policing Unit said: “This is a tragic set of circumstances in which two young men have lost their lives and a third is recovering from his injuries in hospital. Specialist officers are supporting all three families at this difficult time.

“I would urge anyone who saw the car in the area or who witnessed what happened to get in touch with us as soon as possible to help us establish exactly how this collision came to occur.”

Neil and Jack’s step-mother Donna said they just want to know how the tragic accident happened.

Neil, who has another son and daughter, said: “We want answers as to how it happened not knowing why it happened.

“That road is dangerous.”

Glenn Smith, 26, from Clayton-le-Woods, grew up with Anthony and Jack in Ribbleton. He said: “I can’t really believe it has happened.

“They were best friends.

“We have known each other since we were four or five years old. They were good lads, living life and having fun.”

“There lives were cut short way too soon.

“Everyone that knew them is gutted.”