One of five stag partygoers killed in a horrific crash on the M25 was a promising young musician, it was revealed today.

Jon Chandler died early yesterday morning in what police described as one of the worst collisions to have occurred on the M25.

Investigations into what caused the crash were continuing as one of the five stag party members killed was named locally in East Sussex as Mr Chandler.

Surrey Police have not yet disclosed identities of the victims, but Mr Chandler was understood to have been a vocalist and guitar player with Brighton-based band the Mojo Fins, signed to Amazon Records.

One of his bandmates Stephen Brett declined to comment on the tragedy, as did Mr Chandler's distraught family at their home in Hove.

But one message on the band's MySpace site read: "Words cannot express the sadness... RIP."

Amazon Records' managing director Frank Sansom was said to be shocked by the death but he too refused to say anything beyond that a statement might be released later.

Only one passenger in the recovery truck survived the collision and he is being treated in East Surrey hospital for a broken leg and facial injuries.

The group of 13 men, thought to be aged between 25 and 30, had been celebrating in Leicestershire and were making their way home to Brighton when the bus broke down on the M1 around junction 18.

One of the occupants called the AA and seven of the men were taken safely home to Brighton. It is thought the groom was part of that group.

A low-loader truck from Dunchurch Hire in Rugby picked up the minibus and the remaining six men.

They had completed more than half of their journey and were just 30 miles from home when the truck was involved in a collision with a lorry between junctions 8 and 9, Reigate and Leatherhead, at 2.15am.

The recovery van driver, a 46-year-old man from Rugby, and five of his passengers were killed.

Surrey Police said it may take several days before the men's names are officially released.

Police confirmed that the recovery vehicle was set up to seat seven people, one driver and six passengers, safely and with proper seat belts.

A spokeswoman said: "This cab was configured to seat two passengers in front with a driver and four passengers behind."

Staff at Dunchurch Hire were too upset to speak to callers yesterday but they released a short statement which read: "This is a terrible terrible tragedy. We are trying to come to terms with this ourselves.

"Our thoughts are with the family of our driver and the families of those others affected by this tragic incident.

"Police are investigating this awful tragedy and therefore we cannot comment further."

The impact completely destroyed the cab of the recovery vehicle and left debris strewn across the carriage-way.

It took police more than nine hours to collect evidence and clear the wreckage.

The driver of the HGV was uninjured. He is being treated as a witness and was yesterday helping police with their inquiries.