Peter and Michael Zanetti died when the van they were in was struck by an out of control lorry on the wrong side of the motorway.

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Two other men in the van – also believed to be members of the Zanetti family – suffered serious injuries and are being treated at Leeds General Infirmary.

Today, family friend Peter Eastwood said both men were "absolute gems" and said the whole community was in shock.

Mr Eastwood, 55, grew up on the Swarcliffe estate with both Peter, 56, and Michael, 55.

He was especially close to Michael with whom he served on the committee of the Cross Gates Recreation Club.

He said Michael, later of York Road, was a father of seven and a grandfather of 10 and described him as a "real family man".
Peter lived with his wife, Susan, in Oulton, Leeds.

Mr Eastwood said both Michael and Peter worked for their family firm, run by another brother Tony - Aardvark Flooring, based in Barwick in Elmet.
They were apparently on their way to a job in Warrington, Cheshire, when the accident happened at around 6.30am at junction 27, Gildersome, Leeds.
Mr Eastwood, who lives in Stanks Drive, said: "Michael was one of the nicest blokes you could ever wish to meet. He would do anything for anyone – there's no one person who would have a bad word to say against him.

"He had a heart of gold, that kid.

"Peter was an absolute gem of a bloke. You could sit and enjoy his company all night and you would just laugh and laugh.

"I know their brother Tony is devastated. They were a very close-knit family and he is now the only brother left.

"Everyone around here is so upset at what has happened. I haven't stopped crying since I found out."

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash which happened when a Ford Iveco HGV travelling eastbound left the carriageway between junction 27 and 28 and careered through the central reservation onto the westbound carriageway and into oncoming traffic.

Six vehicles were involved in the smash that followed, including the Ford Iveco HGV, a Ford Iveco Daily, a Fiat Ducato, a Mobile Crane, a Fiat Scudo and a Subaru Imprezza.

A 50-year old man from Halifax, who was the driver of the Ford Iveco HGV, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries and is in a critical condition.

The M62 was closed for several hours and there were reports of tailbacks stretching back up to 15 miles.

* Anyone with any information about the collision is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 01924 292915.