TRIBUTES have been paid to a heavy rock musician who was killed in a crash on the A64.

Jay Jay Winter, the lead singer and bassist of Asomvel, died in the accident on Monday after playing a gig in Selby the night before.

His van careered out of control and smashed into a fence before catching fire.

Mr Winter, 43, together with drummer Ian Wright and guitarist Lenny Robinson, had played a gig at a riverside club, in Ousegate, on Sunday night.

Friend John Swift, a drummer who occasionally filled in for the band, described it as the “best performance I had ever seen him do”.

He said: “Jay was on top form – he was an absolute machine”.

Mr Winter stayed overnight before making his way home the following morning. He was involved in the crash on the eastbound carriageway, just past the A162 slip road from Tadcaster.

A tribute posted later that night on the band’s Facebook page told its 370 members of the tragic accident.

It read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Jay Jay Winter, bassist and singer with Asomvel, has lost his life in a car accident.

“With his razor-sharp wit and frank opinions, he was loved and respected by all of his peers in the UK Metal community because of his strength of character.

“We are all stunned by this turn of events. RIP Jay Jay. Lenny Robinson and Ian Wright.”

Dozens of grief-stricken friends, family and fans flooded the page with message of condolences.

Sam Knowles, Jay Jay’s sister, called him “her brother, her childhood hero, her friend”. She wrote “Life will never be the same again. Jay you are loved beyond measure. Your memory rocks on.”

Another sister, Deb Robinson, said: “Jay Jay Winter – my brother, my hero, I love you. There are no words for how I feel. None.”

The crash happened at about 7.50am when a grey BMW 320 and the red Citroen Berlingo van Mr Winter was driving, both travelling towards York from Leeds, collided. The Berlingo van left the carriageway and careered into a fence.

Mr Winter, who lived in Leeds and worked as a joiner, was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is thought he was on his way to a job in York when the accident happened. The BMW driver was uninjured.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw the collision. Wtnesses should phone Traffic Constable Dave Hunter on 0845 6060247.