The families of the three young women who died on the M25 were yesterday coming to terms with the full scale of their loss, saying: "Our lives will never be the same."

Sisters Sonal, 24, and Krupa Mulji, 22, and their cousin Kiran Vaidya, 21, were mown down on the fast lane of the M25. They had got out of their car after it clipped the central reservation.

Kiran's elder sister Bhavna, 25, was inside the Peugeot 206 calling for help on her mobile phone as the others tried to cross to the hard shoulder in driving rain.

The four ambitious university graduates were driving to London from their homes in Crawley to meet Sonal and Krupa's younger sister Ushma, 20, for a party to celebrate Krupa's 23rd birthday.

Bhavna and Sonal were due to go on to see Justin Timberlake in concert.

Bhavna, who was back at home yesterday after being treated for shock in hospital, told how the five inseparable girls had booked a holiday in Barcelona together hours before.

She and Sonal were also planning a surprise 21st birthday party for Kiran and Ushma on Saturday. It will now be the day of the funeral. A memorial shrine has been set up in the garden of the Muljis' home in Lismore Crescent.

Bhavna told of the moment her sister and two cousins were killed.

She said: "I got back into the car because I was calling 999 and it was too noisy on the carriageway. The others stayed out because they were frightened another car wouldn't see us in the bad weather conditions.

"The five of us were particularly close. Sonal was almost the same age as me and we were at university together.

"Kiran and Ushma also went to university together and were living together.

"We spent lots of time together going out, talking on the phone and we even went on holiday together.

"On Saturday morning we had booked a holiday in Barcelona for the five of us in July.

"Sonal and I had planned a big joint surprise birthday for Kiran and Ushma next Saturday.

"It is Ushma's 21st birthday on Friday and Kiran never got to have a 21st party last year because of family circumstances so we were going to make it up to her.

"Now we will be gathering for a funeral instead.

"All three of them were very kind. They had big hearts, never had a bad word to say about anyone, always made the most of everything and were always laughing and joking around."

The collision happened on theclockwise carriageway of the M25, halfway between Junction 8 and 9 near Reigate at 4.30pm on Saturday.

The women ran into difficulty when their Peugeot clipped the central reservation to avoid the car in front which had swerved in poor visibility.

They pulled up in the fast lane and got out to inspect the damage.

Bhavna returned to the car to call 999 while the other girls tried to cross the road to safety.

The three women were hit by a white Mercedes van which then struck their Peugeot, before careering across the road and smashing into an MG.

The Mulji sisters died at the scene. Kiran died in hospital.

Bhavna was treated for shock at Epsom Hospital. The van driver was also treated for shock.

The deaths have devastated the close-knit Hindu community in Crawley, where the girls were well known.

Student Kiran's father Jashvantlal Vaidya said: "I will miss everything about her - she was always looking after me. From the beginning she was bright, friendly and good-natured.

"She was just two weeks away from finishing a BSc in psychology at Westminster University and was planning to go on and take a masters degree and a doctorate.

"This has come as a major blow to our family. Both of our families come originally from the Gujarat province in India where we were friends and we all moved to Crawley together in the Seventies.

"The children have all grown up together and always enjoyed each other's company. Bhauna and Ushma have lost not just cousins or sisters but good friends.

"I would like to thank all those in our local communities who have come forward to support us. We have had many messages of sympathy and they are much appreciated."

Hasmukh Mulji, father of Sonal and Krupa, said: "I was so proud of my two girls - they were both loving, bright and ambitious."

He said Sonal had just been promoted in her job at Providian Bank.

He said: "She was doing very well and had been in charge of various projects dealing with systems issues for the Crawley office and relished the responsibility. She had a degree in business studies from Middlesex University in 1999.

"She was always active and was always out doing something.

"She also loved teddy bears and could not pass one in a shop without wanting to take it home. She filled her room with them."

He said Krupa worked for internet travel firm Excel Airways in Crawley.

"Krupa always seemed the quietest of them but she was actually one of the most self-confident in her own way. She wasn't afraid of anyone or anything.

"She was also doing very well in her career, which she started after finishing her business degree."

Sonal and Krupa were both pupils at Thomas Bennett Community College in Tilgate, Crawley, and are fondly remembered.

Headteacher Yasmin Maskatiya said: "They were really wonderful, fun, hard-working girls. It's unimaginable."

Krupa graduated in January from Kingston University with a BA in business studies administration.

Paul Moss, managing director of Excel Airways, said: "Krupa had been working for us for five months. She will be greatly missed by all of us."

Justin Timberlake said in a statement: "I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident involving four of my fans. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends."

A Hindu service for the lives of Sonal, Krupa and Kiran will be held in Crawley for family and friends on Saturday followed by a cremation.

An inquest will be opened on Wednesday.

Any witnesses to the crash should call Surrey Police collision investigation unit on 01932 569922.