Appeal over second car as friends die in horror crash

Two men who were killed in a horrific car crash in north Shropshire were friends from Hodnet and Market Drayton, it has emerged today.

The victims, named locally as Gareth Tyson, of Hodnet, and Jack Speight, of Market Drayton, both in their early 20s, died at the scene of the accident, near Peplow, on Monday night.

Mr Speight's mother was too upset to speak today as tributes from friends and family poured in for the pair on social networking sites.

The victims were pronounced dead after the black Volkswagen Golf they were in left the A442 and hit trees at about 10.40pm.

Police believe the driver lost control while overtaking and today renewed an appeal for the driver of another car to come forward. Officers believe the victims swerved to avoid another vehicle.

Sergeant Nigel Webster, of West Mercia Police, said the accident happened about 200 metres to the Hodnet side of Peplow crossroads. He urged anyone travelling on this stretch of road at about 10.30pm on Monday to call police on 101.

Mr Webster said: "We believe that while overtaking, an unidentified vehicle travelling in the opposite direction has appeared, possibly causing the Golf to swerve," he said. "The driver of the oncoming vehicle may not be aware a collision took place."

Officers closed the road between Hodnet and Peplow after the accident. It reopened at 11.45am yesterday.

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