A teenage boy who tried in vain to pull his brother from a flaming car after a crash which killed three people said: "Any brother would have done the same."

Darryl Crane, 16, ran to the scene after hearing the sickening sound of the two-car collision from the front room of his home 800 yards away.

As he ran up to the site in Queensway, Hastings, Darryl could see a car in flames. His immediate thoughts were for his 13-year-old brother Aaron Hogg.

Recognising the Ford Granada as family friend Ken Thornett's, Darryl tried to reach the five people trapped inside - including Aaron.

He helped pull Aaron's girlfriend Lauren, 14, and Mr Thornett's 32-year-old girlfriend, Angie Woolcott, free from the wreck. After that, however, Darryl could no longer withstand the heat and smoke belching from the car in which Aaron was a back-seat passenger.

Emergency services battled throughout the night under arc lights to free and aid the victims from both cars.

However, Aaron and mechanic Mr Thornett, 48, died in Monday night's crash, along with the Citroen ZX driver from Tonbridge, Kent.

Four more people, including Lauren, her sister Chelsea, Ms Woolcott, and a passenger in the Citroen, were seriously injured.

The Ford Granada was travelling south when it is thought to have slewed into the northbound lane, smashing head-on into the Citroen.

Mr Thornett had picked up Aaron and his daughters from Army Cadets in Bexhill Road, St Leonards, and was driving them home when the crash happened.

Ms Woolcott was yesterday still critically ill at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, with friends and family at her bedside.

Friends said the long-time partners had spoken of marrying and Mr Thornett was setting up a business.

Darryl, who is recovering from shock at home in Whatlington Way, St Leonards, said: "As soon as I saw the car I recognised it as Ken's and knew Aaron was inside because he was on his way back from cadets. I just felt I had to get to him.

"There was fire everywhere but I had nothing going through my mind, just tunnel vision. He is my brother. I shouted his name but didn't get a reply. Anyone would've done the same as I did, I'm sure.

"The heat was really intense. It was terrible. I couldn't see anyone inside the car because it was black. There was lots of smoke."

Firefighters pulled Darryl away and later recovered Aaron's body.

The Hillcrest School pupil died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Aaron and Darryl's mother, Sheena Hogg, 36, said: "He did all he possibly could. He was extremely brave and did nothing to be ashamed of. He should get a bravery award."

Aaron's five brothers, Darryl, Nathan, 12, Ryan, 11, Cameron, ten, and 14-year-old Stephen, contributed to a carpet of flowers with balloons building up beside the roadside in memory of the dead and injured.

Mrs Hogg has been inundated with visitors to her semi-detached home near the Wishing Tree Reservoir, including Hillcrest headteacher Tony Harvey.

She said: "This has affected the whole community. Everyone is in shock, not least us.

Aaron's father, Reg, 41, said: "Our only source of comfort is knowing that Aaron didn't suffer, that it was instant. We are going to miss him terribly. He was such a lovely boy.

"I've tried getting some sleep but without any success. I keep getting constant flashbacks about what we used to do and the things he used to say.

"We have had such amazing support from people. It's just incredible how something like this can bring a whole community together."

The family believes it will be weeks before Aaron's body is released. But Mrs Hogg said she hoped he would be buried in his Army Cadets uniform.

The crash has reinforced calls for safety measures to be introduced on Queensway, a 60mph road linking The Ridge and lower Hollington.

With no streetlights and with fast lanes arching past the Wishing Tree Reservoir, many people regard it as Hastings' most dangerous road.

A petition raised by Mrs Hogg has already attracted more than 150 names. Campaigners aim to lobby highways authorities for speed restrictions and cameras.

She said: "We cannot let any more lives be lost. Aaron's death is one too many."

Witnesses to the crash are being asked to contact Sergeant Paul Masterson at the Bexhill road policing department on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Cannock.