TRIBUTES have flowed for two people who lost their lives in a Heathcote car crash on Wednesday.
Twenty-six-year-old Rowan Patford and 30-year-old Jaymie Luscombe died when the Holden Commodore in which they were travelling crashed into a tree on the Northern Highway and burst into flames.
Friends and family have paid tribute to both.
Mr Patford’s boss Vincent Bier described his employee as a “champion”.
“He would do anything for you,” Mr Bier said. “He was a very kind-hearted bloke, very well liked by everyone, well respected by our customers.
“It’s pretty devastating... it’s been a pretty tough time for a lot of people, it’s a small community and he was pretty well known.”
Mr Bier said Mr Patford had worked at Bier A & S Motors on and off for about five or six years.
Robyn Barnes described Mr Patford on Facebook as “one in a million” and Damian O’Brien said it was a “truly awful” loss.
Kathryn Ferguson said she was shocked to hear the news.
Nicole Salisbury said Mr Patford had worked on her family’s horse float and that he was a great guy.
She said the news had affected the small Heathcote community. “It’s not a great feeling around town,” Ms Salisbury said.
“It’s very down.
“I’ve got friends who knew him well and they’re shattered... it’s a tragic loss.”
Her father, Graham Salisbury, said Mr Patford had been taken too soon.
“He was a hell of a nice young bloke taken far, far too soon,” Mr Salisbury said.
Kelly O’Reilly said she had been heartbroken by the news and Shae Barnes said “two young lives (had) ended well before their time”.
It is believed Ms Luscombe was originally from Melbourne and attended Diamond Valley Secondary College. It is believed she had two children, aged 12 and five.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The cause of the crash, which happened near Drummonds Lane at 5pm, is not known.