TRIBUTES have been paid to two friends killed in a crash on the A33.

Kyle Jones, from Tadley, was driving when his car was involved in a collision with a lorry, near Swallowfield, on Sunday, April 11.

The 31-year-old and his friend 26-year-old Connor O’Shea, from Basingstoke, were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Thames Valley Police have issued an appeal for witnesses but said no arrests had been made. The lorry driver was not injured. 

Tributes have poured in for the pair, who have been described as “the most loving and caring men you could have ever met and the closest of friends”. 

Connor, who leaves behind two children and his wife, was just weeks away from celebrating his third wedding anniversary. 

In a moving statement, his widow Gemma said: “Connor was a loving husband, daddy, son, brother and friend to so many.

“Connor was such a funny, caring father to our three-year old and 19-month old sons. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for them.”

The account manager’s former employer, Kathryn Tombs, added: “He was larger than life, full of fun and would brighten everybody’s day.”

In a statement released through Thames Valley Police on Wednesday, Kyle’s parents said: “Kyle was a happy, caring, kind and considerate young man who was loved by many people. He would help or do anything for anyone, especially his friends.”

The incident happened on the southbound carriageway of the A33, heading towards Basingstoke from Reading, at around 5.25pm on Sunday, April 11. 

Sergeant Darren Brown, from Thames Valley Police, described it as a “tragic incident” and urged anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact them. 

“I am appealing to any motorists who were also using the A33 at the time to get in touch by calling 101,” he said. 

You can read the full story in this week's edition of the Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

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  • A couple whose baby boy is waiting for a life-saving heart transplant married in the hospital where he is being cared for so that he could be with them for their special day. 
  • Lessons will be learnt from an episode which saw a Popley surgery close unexpectedly, leaving 14,000 people without access to their GP.
  • Two men who threatened pub staff and customers after they were refused a carvery have narrowly avoided a prison sentence.
  • A mother-of-three has spoken out about the terrifying moment her car burst into flames on the M3 near Basingstoke.
  • A former Basingstoke special needs teacher described as a sexual predator with a dangerous interest in young teenage boys has been found guilty of abusing two children.
  • A Basingstoke pensioner has been threatened with having her possessions seized after someone she has never met received a parking fine at St Michael’s Retail Park.
  • The borough’s political parties have pledged their dedication to addressing the climate crisis.
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • Pictures: Basingstoke residents bask in 'sun stronger than August'
  • The latest news from our communities.
  • An eight-page puzzle special.
  • Business news.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Four pages of sports news. And much more!

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