Couple killed in A23 carnage

The first picture of a young couple killed in a road accident that claimed eight lives has been released.

Toby and Kate Beasley are photographed at their wedding five years ago. The couple, both 30, were on the A23 on Sunday when their Land Rover Freelander was hit by a BMW which had crossed the central reservation. They were returning home to Godalming after a day out in Brighton. Mr Beasley, a postman, died instantly. His wife and a passenger in the car, two-year-old Marcus Mohabir, died the following day. Marcus's father, Steve, remains in intensive care.

The accident happened when the black BMW lost control on the dual carriageway at Pyecombe, near Brighton. All five occupants of the BMW were killed instantly.

They were Mitch Treliving, 19, believed to be the driver, Aaron Sharpe, 20, and his sister Catherine, 18, Danielle Billingham, 17, and Gemma Smoker, 17. All were from the Crawley area. Dozens of 999 crews were called after shocked witnesses had battled in vain to put out a blaze caused by the cars exploding on impact. Emergency services said it was the worst crash in Sussex for many years.

Tara Rowland, 32, who ran Signatures hair salon in Three Bridges with Catherine Sharpe's older sister said: "Gemma and Catherine were lovely girls. They were the best of friends and did absolutely everything together. They were virtually inseparable.

"They had probably gone to Brighton for the day to just walk round the pier in the sunshine. They were a fun loving group and often went on days out."