A YOUNG man has died after a late night car crash.

Alex Jackson, 19, of Brighton, died of his injuries in hospital yesterday after the crash near Brighton Racecourse early on Friday.

Alex was travelling in a car with girlfriend Chantelle Marriott, 18, and work colleagues Scott Hammond, 22 and Sharief Ruhomally, 29, known as Mo, who was driving.

The others are in hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the other car suffered minor injuries and managed to raise the alarm.

The former City College student, who worked at Poundstretcher, London Road, was “beloved” by his friends.

Craig Adams told The Argus: “I cannot believe my best mate has died. He was the best lad you could ever hope to meet, wouldn’t hurt a fly and tried his best to please everybody and make his family and his girlfriend proud of him.

“Such a shame. I know he’s shining bright and looking down on all of us.”

A social media tribute said: “Every time we saw him he was smiling and was happy.”

Dad Paul Jackson went on Facebook saying Alex would always be in their hearts.

He said: “Rest in peace my baby boy. Can’t believe this. It has broken my heart seeing you in that hospital bed not being able to talk to you or hear your voice.

“Words cannot explain what I feel now. You had a bright future, done well at college, got a job, a lovely girlfriend and an apprenticeship.”

Emergency services were called to Race Hill after the friends’ BMW and a Skoda taxi collided just after midnight.

Firefighters cut the passengers out of the BMW and they were treated at the roadside.

Email information to collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call Sussex Police on 101, quoting Operation Awash.