THE family of the man killed in a mystery crash in Fareham have paid tribute to a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Jon Stewart Kavanagh, 54, died from head and chest injuries after his car was involved in a head-on collision on the A32 Gosport Road during the rush hour on Tuesday.

His family, 51-year-old wife May, sons Alec, 33, and 29-year-old Richard and granddaughters Elizabeth, eight, and seven-year-old Paige, have released a statement to the Daily Echo.

Speaking from her home in Woodside, Bridgemary, Mrs Kavanagh said: "Jon was a loving husband and an affectionate father and grandfather.

"He will be deeply missed by our family and those who knew him."

Mr Kavanagh was a much-loved taxi driver who was known for making extra efforts to help his passengers.

He served for 26 years as a submariner with the Royal Navy. He was commissioned in 1985 and retired as a Lieutenant in 1993.

After leaving the Navy, he started his taxi business.

Mr Kavanagh was also an active member of the New Forest Harley Davidson club and took part in charity fundraising events for muscular dystrophy research.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, but the Kavanagh family will request that flowers come only from the family. Friends are being asked to make donations to the Soldiers Sailors Air Force Association (SSAA).

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision as the cause remains a mystery.

At 6.18pm a red Vauxhall Frontera pulled out slowly from a side road near Geoffrey Crescent across the carriageway to join the southbound A32.

A northbound green Peugeot 106 driven by Mr Kavanagh then collided head-on with the Frontera, but traffic officers believe the slow speed should have meant the car could have stopped in time.

They would like to hear from anyone who saw the crash or noticed how Mr Kavanagh was prior to it.

The driver of the Frontera, a 33-year-old Southampton man, his 30-year-old wife and nine-month-old son were treated for whiplash at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fareham Road Policing Unit on 0845 045 4545.