Brother pays tribute after Matt Preece dies in Handcross crash

Friends Marc Martin, 22, from Haywards Heath and Matt Preece, 21, from Lindfield were sitting in the back of a BMW which hit a tree at High Beeches Lane on Wednesday (December 17).

They died later that night in hospital from injuries suffered in the crash.

Matt’s brother, John Cunningham said: “Words cannot describe the amount of pain myself, my family and matt’s friends are feeling. I love you bro! Nothing in this world can ever replace you, I hope you rest in peace and are with god.”

The car flipped after hitting the tree at 10pm. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Lindfield, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Matt’s friend Chelsea Selsby told the Middy: “He was the nicest boy I’ve ever spoken to, so kind and caring and loved by so many people and will now be missed by so many people.

“So sad that he’s been taken at such a young age but heaven always gains the best angels, always in our thoughts, rest in perfect peace Matt.”

A front seat passenger, a 16-year-old girl from Haywards Heath, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital before being released.

Police are appealing to witnesses of the crash. Anyone who saw anything is asked to email [email protected] or ring 101 quoting Operation Ashwick.

For the full story see next week’s Middy.