The family of Jack Varney, who died in a car crash near Didcot, last night paid tribute to the “ambitious young man” who was a proud dad.

Mr Varney, 19, pictured with his one-year-old daughter Lilly-Mae, of Station Road, Didcot, and Rhys Roberts, 21, of St Anne’s Court, Didcot, were killed on the A4130 at Hadden Hill early on Monday.

The Peugeot 306 they were in was travelling from Wallingford to Didcot when it hit a wall at the side of the road and burst into flames.

An inquest has been opened into the deaths and yesterday Mr Varney’s family issued a statement saying: “Jack was a family man; nothing and nobody meant more to him. He was a proud daddy and lived for his daughter Lilly-Mae.

“He was a determined and ambitious young man and so full of life. No words can explain or take away the pain of losing him.

“He was a loving son, amazing father, not to mention brother and uncle. He will be forever missed, loved and cherished.”

Mr Varney’s partner Natalie Poole added: “Jack was an amazing father to Lilly-Mae — he loved and cared for her with every piece of his heart.

“No words can explain the pain of losing him. He was our rock. Jack will forever be loved, missed and never forgotten. He will always live strong in our baby girl.”

Mr Roberts, 21, worked as a binman in Didcot. His colleague Clifford Oakes described him as a happy-go-lucky young man.

No date has yet been set for a full inquest.