Brettell Lane crash: Tributes paid to pair killed in Brierley Hill accident
Tributes have been paid to two men who died after the car they were travelling in crashed into a wall in Brierley Hill last night.
Karl Green, aged 34, and Andy Wheeler, aged 28, died after a blue Citroen ZX smashed into a wall near shops in Brierley Hill in the early hours.
The pair died at the scene of the tragedy outside the Nail and Tanning Studio in Brettell Lane at around midnight.
Mr Green leaves a daughter, four-year-old Immie. His family have spoken of their devastation at his death – hours before a planned family celebration for the festive season.
Mr Green, who was a builder, lived in Brierley Hill. His brother Adam, aged 31, said the family were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, but said they would 'stay very strong' for the sake of his daughter.
"It hasn't sunk in properly yet, I don't think it will for a while," he said.
"Nobody expects to get a knock on the door by police at 3am Christmas eve.
"We are finding it very hard to get our heads around.
"Karl was a free-spirited, cheeky lad who could put a smile on anybody's face and we were quite close.
"He was mischievous but loved by everyone who knew him.
"It's going to be a big loss to the family, he really did have a heart of gold."
Meanwhile tributes were paid to Andy Wheeler on Facebook.
Mr Wheeler's cousin Melissa said: "R.I.P. to my cousin Andy Wheeler will never forget that big ginger hair u had u will always be remembered and missed love all of my family xx".
While Becky Garratt left this tribute: "R.I.P. my brother Andy Wheeler who lost his life in the Brettle Lane crash last night I love you so much gonna miss u so bad my heart is broke completely."
Specialist family liaison officers were supporting the family of both men in the crash.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances.
Paramedics and firefighters from Brierley Hill and Haden Cross worked to release one of the men but he could not be saved at the roadside.
Pc Karl Davies, from West Midlands Police said: "We are trying to establish how this crash occurred.
"Two families have been devastated by the loss of their loved ones and even the smallest piece of information could help us piece together what happened." Nearby resident Sharnie Hazlett, aged 20, said: "I was asleep but was woken up by a huge bang.
"I looked out the window and saw a car had smashed into our wall. I ran outside but couldn't believe what I was seeing.
"It was absolutely awful. Police, ambulance and firefighters covered the street. It's hard to think this has happened outside our house," she said.
Mr Green's brother Adam, aged, 31 said he had been left 'numb' by Karl's death and that the news is 'very raw and hard to come to terms with'.
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Claire Brown said: "Sadly, upon arrival, it quickly became apparent to ambulance staff that nothing could be done to save one man in the car and he was confirmed dead.
"The second occupant, a man, sustained multiple serious injuries and was trapped. Once extricated from the car, his condition rapidly deteriorated at the roadside and despite advanced life support by the team of ambulance staff the man couldn't be saved and he was also confirmed dead."
