A YOUNG man who died in a car accident has been hailed as a “hero” after his organs helped to save four lives.

Alex Jackson, 19, died on Friday after a car crash near the Brighton Race Course in the early hours of Thursday morning.

But Alex, described as “a wonderful inspiring lad who would have helped anybody” by his family, had signed up to be an organ donor earlier this year and is carrying on helping people even in death.

Alex died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital but already doctors have been able to use his organs, including his liver, kidneys and pancreas, to save four people.

Mandy Jackson, 48, Alex’s aunt, said: “Nobody ever saw this happening but he already helped save people and that in itself is a plus – he can probably save 20.

“I think everybody says how caring he was and this proves it. It is going to be a gift for whoever gets his heart.

“We are all really proud of him. He was a cheeky little boy who loved football and always had a football with him.”

On Saturday night friends and family gathered at East Brighton Park and held a candle light vigil for him.

Balloons carrying candles and messages were sent into the sky while ‘RIP AJ’ was spelt in tea lights on the grass.

Alex’s uncle Stephen Jackson called his nephew a “hero”.

The 40-year-old said: “He would have helped anybody and what he has done in death just shows what type of person he was.

“He was absolutely the greatest and he is saving these people – his life has not gone to waste.”

The other passengers in the car, Alex’s girlfriend Chantelle Marriott, 18, and work colleague Scott Hammond, 22, remain in hospital but both are now reportedly awake.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash and are asking people to email information to collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call Sussex Police on 101, quoting Operation Awash.