Groups have been set up on the internet social networking site Facebook in memory of a Shropshire man and his friend who died after a car crash in Australia.

Joshua Bowen, from Bronington, Whitchurch, died in hospital earlier this week, days after the car he was in crashed into trees in Brisbane, Queensland.

His friend Richard Tennant, from Wrexham, died at the scene of the crash on Friday.

Groups have been set up on the social networking site in memory of the 19-year-olds, who were both former students of the Maelor School in Penley, and tributes have been flooding in.

A Facebook group, titled In Loving Memory of Josh Bowen, has more than 330 members. And a site set up in memory of Mr Tennant has more than 400 members.

A message left on the page dedicated to Mr Bowen, from Rachael Webb, says: “I love you so much you will always be in my heart forever!

“There is no other man out there for me we should have been together forever I don’t know what to do! I love you and just want you back! I love you and miss you! xx”

Mathew Grindley wrote: “Josh, I really hope you enjoyed yourself down under, your going to be missed greatly. You gave so many people hope by holding on, it was just gutting when it became too much. Rest in Peace young man.

“To Dan and family, our thoughts are with you, I hope we can all support you in some way in all of this. Mat.”

Diane Gilbert wrote: “We are thinking of you all at this time and can’t begin to imagine what you are going through.

“Josh will be remembered by everyone who knew him well and those who only met him briefly.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by his loss and hope you draw some comfort from these messages. With all our love from the Gilbert family in Whitchurch xxx”

Allison Bywater wrote: “Our thoughts are with Celia, Simon and the rest of the family. It’s not right that you should have to go through this. Josh was a great lad and a credit to you.”

By Deborah Collins