TRIBUTES have been made to the two men who died in a horrific three-car pile-up in Wirral last weekend.

Teenager Glynn Caster-mans and property developer Steven Arnold were both killed instantly in the smash on Lever Causeway in Higher Bebington shortly after 7pm on Saturday evening.

The pair had been travelling in Mr Arnold's Jaguar XJS when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf and a Ford Orion.

Police said both men sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 17-year-old girl pass-enger in the Golf and the car's 19-year-old driver were both injured and remain in a serious condition at Arrowe Park Hospital. They have not been named.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene found four people trapped in the cars with the Jaguar's engine on fire. They managed to extinguish the blaze but the two men in the Jaguar were already dead.

The three occupants of the Ford Orion only suffered minor injuries, said police.

Glynn Castermans was a popular member of Wirral's Chikara Karate Kai club and friends there told The Globe of their shock and grief over the 18-year-old's death.

Close friend and instructor Mark D'Arcy described Glynn, who lived with his family in Edith Road, Wallasey, as "the ultimate athlete."

"I'd known Glynn since he was ten," he said. "I had two dogs and they were being trained by his dad, and in return I began teaching karate to Glynn and his younger brother Michael."

Glynn had hoped to become a PT instructor in the armed forces, Mr D'Arcy added.

He continued: "Glynn was the ultimate athlete, dedicated to his karate, judo, and martial arts.

"He's been a good friend of mine since then and I can honestly say you could find no fault in him as a student. He was fantastic, respected both by the instructors and his fellow students.

"He was very good at karate, won many tournaments, and was a member of the British Karate Association squad.

"Glynn was certainly one of the best students we have ever had. He had a charisma about him that was very understated. He came across as quite shy - a very modest man for all his talent."

Glynn gained his 2nd dan grade in karate before Christmas and the club awarded him their Student of the Year award in recognition, said Mr D'Arcy.

"He was even reluctant to receive the award because he was so modest," he added.

"Etiquette is as much a part of karate as strength and technique, and Glynn had that. His discipline and respect for others were outstanding.

"It's a tragic loss of a young man who had the rest of his life ahead of him. Everyone at the club is devastated and our sympathies go to his family.

He was a smashing lad."

The family of the Jaguar's driver Steven Arnold, from Pine Walks, Prenton, also spoke of their heartache.

A statement was issued on behalf of Steven Arnold's father Dr Robert Arnold, who works as a consultant paediatric cardio-logist at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

It said: "We are very touched by people's sympathies and thoughts at this time. Obviously we are trying to come to terms with our tragic loss and would now very much appreciate to be able to grieve privately."

The cause of the crash is still being investigated and an inquest into the deaths will be formally opened today, Wednesday

There were icy weather conditions at the time of the collision but Wirral Council has confirmed that Lever Causeway is on its gritting route.

l Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information should contact them on 0151 777 5730.