TRIBUTES have been paid to a Southampton dad who was killed in a head-on car crash.

Dean Everson died at the scene of the accident in which a car collided with the van he was driving.

Mr Everson, 41, was at the wheel of the U Hire Transit van as it travelled along the A303 in Wiltshire.

A 21-year-old man, also from Southampton who was a passenger in the van, suffered serious injuries and last night remained in hospital.

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According to police a black Mini Cooper car being driven by a 24- woman from London inexplicably left the eastbound carriageway and ploughed through the central reservation and into the path of the oncoming van.

The driver of the Mini was also admitted to Salisbury District Hospital.

A vehicle that was travelling behind the van was also involved in the crash but the two occupants were uninjured.

Mr Everson, a keen Saints fan from the Thornhill area of the city, died at the scene from injuries he suffered in the accident.

Tributes have been left to Mr Everson on the Daily Echo website.

One read: “Dean, my best friend, who lived for his partner, his family, especially the children and his football, Saturdays will never be the same.”

Another read: “Rest in peace Dean, you will be sadly missed. Always be thinking about you and the family.

Always in our hearts.”

Police closed the road at Beacon Hill at Amesbury following the accident which happened just after 5pm on Monday. It did not reopen until 3.30am yesterday following extensive repairs and resurfacing of the carriageway.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to come forward.

PC Wilkins, of Wiltshire police, said it wasn’t yet clear why the Mini left the carriageway and crossed into the path of the van.

Anyone with information can contact the Southern Roads Policing Unit on 0845 408 7000.