'Free spirited cheeky lad with a heart of gold': Family's touching tribute to father killed in smash

Karl Green and Andy Wheeler, 28, died after a blue Citroen ZX smashed into a wall in Brierley Hill in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Mr Green, who was aged 34, died at the scene of the tragedy outside the Nail and Tanning Studio in Brettell Lane just after 12am.

He leaves a daughter, four-year-old Immie.

Mr Green's family have spoken of their devastation at his death - hours before a planned family celebration for the festive season.

Mr Green, who was a builder, lived in Brierley Hill.

His brother Adam, aged 31, said the family were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, but said they would 'stay very strong' for his daughter.

"It hasn't sunk in properly yet, I don't think it will for a while," he said.

"Nobody expects to get a knock on the door by police at 3am Christmas Eve. We are finding it very hard to get our heads around.

"Karl was a free spirited cheeky lad who could put a smile on anybody's face and we were quite close.

"He was mischievous but loved by everyone who knew him. It's going to be a big loss to the family, he really did have a heart of gold."

He said he would be missed greatly by all the family and said his brother would always put a smile on their faces.

"I was looking forward to spending some time with him over Christmas with the family," said Adam.

"It's an awful thing to happen but we're all going to have to stay very strong, especially for his daughter Immie."

"Everyone loved him for the way he was, you could be having the worst day and you'd only need to speak to Karl to have a smile put on your face.

"He lived his life how he wanted to and was as free spirited as you could be. His death hasn't really sunk in properly.

"I would like him to be remembered as the boisterous lad he was. We're all going to miss him."

Mr Green died at the scene alongside his friend, a 28-year-old man.

Specialist family liaison officers were supporting the family of both men in the crash.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Paramedics and firefighters from Brierley Hill and Haden Cross worked to release one of the men but he could not be saved at the roadside.

Pc Karl Davies, from West Midlands Police said: "We are trying to establish how this crash occurred and are appealing for witnesses.

"Two families have been devastated by the loss of their loved ones and even the smallest piece of information could help us piece together what happened."

The tragic deaths in Brierley Hill happened as people were injured in other crashes in Oldbury, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Penkridge.