A pair of Brighton and Hove doctors and two Sussex musicians were among the six men killed in a horrific crash as they returned home from a stag weekend.

Jonathan Chandler, Christopher Janaway, Andrew Graney and Matthew O'Donnell died during the early hours of Monday morning in a devastating collision on the M25 which also claimed the lives of another of their friends and a lorry driver as they made their way back to Brighton from Leicestershire.

The four men - all from Brighton - lost their lives after the recovery truck which they were travelling in following a breakdown hit an HGV on the motorway.

Only one of the stag party who was in the recovery truck survived the accident and was last night being treated in hospital for his injuries.

Seven other men from the stag party, including bridegroom James Forrer, were travelling in a separate recovery vehicle and returned safely to Brighton.

Last night Mr Forrer spoke of his grief at the loss of his pals.

He said: "The accident ended the lives of five beautiful friends.

"Some had known each other for many years, others had met only two days earlier.

"Everyone who knew them has been inconsolable. I'm so grateful that we were all able to share a terrific weekend's celebration that was filled with laughter.

"Coming to terms with a loss of such magnitude will require much time and energy and the warmth and love of all of the families and friends involved.

"My fiancée and I have not made any firm decisions regarding the timing of our wedding."

Mr Chandler - known as Jon - was the vocalist and guitar player with Brighton band The Mojo Fins, who signed to Brighton label Amazon Records at the end of last year and were set to release their first album.

His sister Emma, said her 23-year-old brother, of The Drove, Preston Park, was looking forward to fulfilling his role as best man at his friend's wedding and had been directing a lot of time, passion and enthusiasm into it. It is believed The Mojo Fins were also set to play at the wedding.

She added she was unsure whether the wedding would go ahead in a few weeks' time as planned.

Reading a statement on behalf of her family she said her brother worked part-time as a care assistant in Brighton because he was trying to get the band, which had been together for four years, off the ground.

She said: "There were never enough hours in the day for Jon to do all the things he wanted to do and see all the people he wanted to see.

"He loved travelling from south east Asia and China to Prague and lots of places in England visiting friends, but he had aspirations to see as much as possible.

"He loved learning new stuff and always had too many books to read, CDs to listen to and films to watch.

"As well as gaining popularity through his band the Mojo Fins, he was extremely popular on a personal level with many friends and family that loved his dry wit, enthusiasm and passionate outlook on life.

"He was a much loved son, brother, boyfriend and friend and will be missed every day."

Yesterday the other members of the band were too upset to talk but a statement on their myspace website said: "It is with great pain that we write to let you know that in the early hours of yesterday morning we lost our much loved friend and band mate Jon.

"We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of everyone involved.

"Jon, we love you and miss you."

Frank Sansom, the managing director of Amazon Records, said the band had been due to play a gig at the Prince Albert in Trafalgar Street on Friday but it had been cancelled.

He said: "We are all completely devastated and saddened by the news of the tragic death of Jon.

"He was a member of the rock group The Mojo Fins. Amazon Records Ltd has immediately suspended the release of their debut single Pinata Face, previously scheduled for May 14, until further notice and in consultation with the remaining members of the band and their families.

"Our deepest condolences go out to Jon's family and friends at this time. It is requested that their privacy is respected at this extremely sad time."

Mr Chandler was a pupil at Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre in The Upper Drive, Hove, from 1992 to 1999.

Christine Graves, the head of the sixth form, said the tragedy had left staff who knew him deeply upset.

She said: "Everyone you speak to remembers him with great fondness. He is the sort of lad that makes you smile when you think about him.

"He was not only very involved with school life but also very involved in all of life. He embraced everything that came his way."

She said Mr Chandler had always been very involved with music and had deserved the success he achieved with his band.

After leaving the school Mr Chandler went on to study English literature at university.

Mr Graney, aged 29, was a singer and guitarist with popular Brighton band Wonky Beak.

Mr Janaway, 28, from Brighton, was in his second year working as a qualified doctor at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

He attended schools in Godalming, Surrey, and had a first class honours degree in biochemistry at Bristol University, going on to do a four-year post-graduate medical course at St George's, Tooting.

He had also chosen to do some of his training in Australia and India.

A statement from his loved ones said: "The whole family is devastated by the loss of a wonderful son, brother and great friend.

"Chris loved travelling and his main hobby was fishing; he enjoyed rock climbing trips to Scotland with friends.

"Chris was always very popular, warm-hearted, great company and readily gave his time to others."

Colleagues of Dr Janaway at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust said they were shocked by his death.

Dr Paul Ransom, accident and emergency consultant for the trust, said: "Chris was a very bright and well-liked doctor.

"We are deeply shocked by this tragic news and our thoughts are with his family."

It is believed that Mr O'Donnell, a 30-year-old doctor, worked alongside Mr Chandler at the hospital.

All of the men were travelling in the cab of a recovery vehicle after their minibus broke down.

They were killed alongside one of their friends - who has not yet been named - and the 46-year-old recovery driver, from Rugby, when the truck ploughed into the back of a lorry between junctions 9 and 8 of the M25, Reigate and Leatherhead, on Monday at 2.13am.

A sixth member of the stag group suffered a broken leg and facial injuries and was taken to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill. He was transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead where his condition was last night described as stable.

Chief Superintendent Rob Price, of Surrey Police, said: "Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the bereaved at this time.

"Our officers were faced with a tragic scene on the M25 and I am proud they delivered a professional service in very difficult circumstances."

Anyone with information about the crash should call Surrey Police on 0845 1252222.

Leave your tributes to the Brighton men below, email news@theargus.co.uk or call 01273 544514.