TRIBUTES have been paid to two friends tragically killed in a car crash.

Florin Cristian Radu, known as Cristian, was driving a black BMW with his friend Adrian Florin Mateas in the passenger seat when it left the road and crashed into a tree.

Both pronounced dead at the scene.

The families of both men, who worked together as chefs at Pig and Butcher public house in Five Ash Down, have paid tribute to them.

“Cristian was a dedicated chef with a passion for food and creating new dishes,” Cristian’s wife Barbara said.

“It wasn’t just his work, it was his life. He worked well with Adrian and they would get lots of compliments. People would ask if they were working before they booked a table, because they knew the food would be good.

“He also owned Pit Stop garage in Uckfield, which he loved. The car he died in was built up from almost scrap at his garage; it was his pride and joy, and he did everything to get it into full working order.”

Cristian, 33, of Blois Road, Lewes, grew up in Romania and moved to the UK to pursue work in 2004. He met his wife Barbara, 33, while working together at The Green Man public house in Ringmer, and the couple had two children together.

Cristian leaves behind wife Barbara, 33, and daughters Alicia, eight, and Julia, six.

Adrian, 43, of Five Ash Down, Uckfield, also grew up in Romania. He had been friends with Cristian for many years before the pair moved to the UK together.

His wife Cristina, 45, said: “Adrian will forever be the greatest thing that has happened to me, together with my daughter Alexandra. I have never met anyone else more happy, smiling and full of life. We are still in disbelieve of what happened to such a kind person.

“Adrian loved me and my daughter with all of his heart, and he did everything possible and beyond so that we have everything we could possibly need. Even if Alexandra was only his step-daughter, he loved her and he looked after her even more than a natural father would do for his own children.

“But destiny decided to take him away exactly on our first year anniversary. We had our civil marriage on 19 August and our church wedding on 20 of August (2016).

“Adrian had such a big heart, and he helped and supported everyone and anyone around him. This can easily be seen in the reaction of everyone who knew him and that are now trying to do their best to care for his much beloved family. A big thank you to everyone thinking of us.”

step-daughter Alexandra, 13.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the crash in Coopers Green Road at about 10.59pm on Saturday August 19 are asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Annscroft.