Tributes are paid to uncle, 24, and his 20-year-old nephew killed when their car careered off a bridge into a river in Sheffield

Tributes have been to an uncle and his nephew who died after their car ploughed through a crash barrier and plunged into a river.

Emergency services rushed to the River Don in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, at around 7.10pm last night to reports of a Mercedes smashing through a bridge's railings and plunging into the water.

Fire and rescue workers were able to rescue both of the men from the wreckage, but they were pronounced dead short afterwards. 

Devastated family members have now named trainee accountant Josh Hydes, 20, and his 24-year-old uncle Tommy Hydes as the car's occupants in a series of emotional tributes.

Josh Hydes, 20, and his 24-year-old uncle Tommy Hydes have been named as the men who died after their car ploughed through a crash barrier and plunged into a river in Sheffield

Emergency services rushed to the River Don in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, at around 7.10pm last night to reports of a Mercedes smashing through a bridge's railings and dropping into the water 

One tribute read: 'Can't actually believe it.. Only saw you last night, in shock R.I.P Josh Hydes you had your whole life ahead of you & passed all your accountant qualifications bro you was so happy about it when you told me last week.

'Way too young to be taken away like this, I actually shed a tear.'

Another read: 'Finding out your no longer with us and my heart goes out to all your family! Fly high bro ***

'R.I.P Tommy Hydes words can't describe to good lads gone! Gonna be missed boys! Gone way to soon.. **'

Loved ones visited the upsetting scene by the River Don, near Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre to place floral tributes on the bridge's railings.

Loved ones visited the upsetting scene by the River Don, near Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre to place floral tributes on the bridge's railings 

South Yorkshire Police have been investigating through the night and into this afternoon.

A painstaking investigation has centred on the overpass of the River Don where the car ploughed through the metal barrier on Saturday night.

Three orange life rings could be seen lying on the riverbank close to where the vehicle landed. 

Emergency workers were on the scene in minutes and tried desperately to rescue the two men from the wreckage, but they were pronounced dead a short time later.

One tribute read: 'Can't actually believe it.. Only saw you last night, in shock R.I.P Josh Hydes you had your whole life ahead of you & passed all your accountant qualifications bro you was so happy about it when you told me last week'

Police accident investigators worked through the night in an attempt to piece together the victims' final tragic moments.

South Yorkshire Police said: 'At 7.10pm last night (30 January) police received reports that a vehicle had entered the river off Meadowhall Way in Sheffield.

'Two men aged 20 and 24 were taken to Northern General Hospital, where they were sadly pronounced dead.

'Family members have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.'

Meadowhall Way was closed and remains closed today while enquiries continue.

'The vehicle involved in this incident was not being pursued or followed by the police. It was a very distressing incident for all involved.

'All emergency services were at the scene within minutes and entered the water to help.'