A YOUNG couple have been killed in a horror crash involving three cars on the East Lancashire Road.

The crash happened at 4.55pm yesterday near Swinton Park - and police are investigating the possibility that it was caused by two cars racing.

Aaron Tulsa Jones, aged 19, died at the scene, while his girlfriend, 22-year old mother-of-one Amy Hobson, suffered serious injuries and died a short time later in hospital.

Horwich-born Aaron, who was driving a white Vauxhall Corsa, is believed to have been turning onto the East Lancs Road when an Audi RS3 and an Audi S3 smashed into his car.

The two Audis were travelling eastbound along the A580.

Aaron has been described as an “amazing young man” with a “wonderful, cheeky smile” by devastated friends.

The teenager, who worked with Amy at a Macdonald’s restaurant in Pendlebury, was passionate about karate and trained with the GKR karate group for eight years — latterly teaching youngsters the martial art.

His mother, Michelle, who is also originally from Horwich and now lives in Salford, had inspired his passion as she is also a teacher.

Aaron's teacher and friend, Sensei Neil Thomas, aged 44, from Worsley, said everyone who knew the teenager was “deeply shocked and absolutely devastated” by what had happened.

He added: “We cannot comprehend this tragedy, Aaron blossomed from a child student into an amazing young man who followed in his mum Michelle's footsteps and became an instructor teaching in Salford and Walkden.”

Aaron achieved his black-belt last August.

Mr Thomas said: “Aaron was everybody’s friend, little brother, big brother — he took younger students under his wing, he was a joker, an amazing friend and he always had a wonderful cheeky smile on his face.”

“This is a massive loss and our hearts, love and thoughts are with his parents Michelle and Rob, his girlfriend’s parents and all their family and friends.”

Tributes flooded in for the popular teenager on social media.

His friend Mike Moran tweeted: “Never did I think I'd be saying this but RIP Aaron jones one of my old school mates and primary school mates gunna miss you.”

Aaron attended Pendleton Sixth Form and had been a student at Albion Academy in Salford.

Assistant Principal of the Albion Academy, Diane Wood, said: “Aaron was a popular student who enjoyed life.

“He was a very good rugby player and was part of a successful school team — he left school with a good set of exam results and went on to college.

“He has been taken from us far too soon and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, he was a lovely boy.”

Two men, aged 25 and 27, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A police spokesman said one of the men is in hospital while the second is being questioned.

Witness Tanja Grozdanovic wrote on Facebook: "I had the misfortune of seeing the aftermath just a few minutes after; harrowing, to the point I had to pull over to throw up and was shaking all the way home.

"That poor young couple's lives ended far too soon, and for what?

"My heart goes out to all the families and friends affected by such a reckless and senseless tragedy."

Sarah Harrison added: “Everything was done that was possible to save these two lives - the bystanders were amazing who helped.”

In a statement Clare Lord, operations manager for the North for McDonald’s UK, said: “We are devastated to hear the tragic news about Aaron and Amy.

Aaron and Amy were popular, valued friends and colleagues at our Pendlebury restaurant and will be dearly missed.”

The East Lancashire Road between Lancaster Road and Worsley Road was closed while investigations were carried out.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police's serious collision investigation unit on 0161 8564741.