'Vibrant souls taken away so young': Four young men killed in less than an hour in a horror day on Sydney roads

• e-mail

Four young men have all tragically died in two separate crashes in less in 45 minutes during a horror day on the roads in Sydney's outskirts.

Three young men, all passengers in an SUV, died in a shocking head-on collision with a car at Kurmond about 3.30pm on Sunday, police said.

The victims have been identified as three friends from Sydney's northern beaches; Lachlan Burleigh, 17, Ben Sawyer, 19, and Luke Shanahan, 21.

Distraught friends have posted tributes in the wake of the devastating shock fatality, which is understood to have occurred as five friends drove home from music festival 'Psyfari' in Capertee, 135km north of Sydney.

'Love you so much brothers. Rest in absolute peace. Three vibrant souls taken away so young...always radiated goodness and smiles to all,' posted a friend. 

Scroll down for video  

Distraught friends have posted tributes in the wake of the devastating shock fatality, which is understood to have occurred as five friends drove home from music festival 'Psyfari' in Capertee, north of Sydney

Lachlan Burleigh, 17, was tragically killed in a car crash on Sunday. He was due to finish his HSC studies

In a tragic twist, only four days earlier, the brother of the youngest victim, 'Lachie' pleaded for people to drive more carefully to prevent accidents.

'To all you northern rivers rev head road Reverends ... Please slow down!' Jayden Burleigh wrote on Facebook.

'Your selfish mind in your powerfully driven ego chariot is not wanted on these roads ... Especially in slippery lightning & thunder times!' 

Now the grieving brother has posted a tribute on Facebook after the same tragedy he warned against struck far too close to home.

'My little bro man. Thank you for giving me that special strength,' he wrote. 

'It's just really hard for me right now to fathom turning this into a reality.' 

Ben Sawyer, 19, was also killed in the horrific crash as they travelled Sydney bound on Bells Line of Road

Luke Shanahan - known to his friends as 'Moik - was coined by his friends as 'an absolute legend'

The youngest victim, Lachlan is remembered for his 'golden smile' with friends wishing 'may you continue to dance in another life.'

'I'm a very proud big cousin Lach. I'm lost without you,' posted a family member.

'You brightened up the world when you were around. Your love so precious and your soul so happy. The pain is just indescribable. 

'Heaven awaits you with open arms my amazing baby cousin,' posted another relative lovingly.

Ben, 19, has been remembered as 'amazing and kind-hearted'.

'One of the greatest best blokes I know, I love you so much, Nugsy,' wrote Liam Kenny.

'Best bloke out, so honoured that I got the chance to meet him. He will be truly missed,' added Will Hillier.

Luke - known to his friends as 'Moik - was coined by his friends as 'an absolute legend.' 

'Wish I could wake up and this was all a bad dream but it is real. Still can't comprehend your gone,thanks for all the good times and being such a legend,' his friend Tim Stanton posted.

Keen motorcyclist Joshua Michael Young was riding in front of his father along winding Barker Lodge Road when the bike collided with a car

In a tragic twist only four days earlier, the brother of the youngest victim, 'Lachie' (pictured) pleaded for people to drive more carefully to prevent accidents

'I feel blessed to call you one of my closest mates and I'm glad I got to spend your last moments partying with you just like you would have wanted. We will never forget you,I love you brother.'

The driver of the four-wheel drive in the Kurmond crash and the car driver and passenger, a couple aged in their 80s, were all taken to the Westmead Hospital with serious injuries.

Police crash investigators are at the scene on the Bells Line of Road and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Just 45 minutes earlier, a man in his 20s, died after his motorcycle and a car collided at Picton.

Keen motorcyclist Joshua Michael Young was riding in front of his father along winding Barker Lodge Road when the bike collided with a car. 

Three people were killed in a Bells Line of Road car accident at 3.30pm on Sunday

Witness Craig Sheahan, who came across the scene while riding his motorbike and ran to their aid, described the heartbreaking ordeal on Facebook.

'The rider was laying on the road and in a bad way, his father was there cradling his son (he was also riding another motorcycle) it was hectic as we waited for the emergency services to arrive, cars were still able to pass by the scene,' wrote Mr Sheahan.

'Things got worse, the rider was in need of CPR, I commenced, it seemed an eternity till the ambulance arrived. 

'I don't think it was going to end well for the rider and my ride home afterwards was very different, lots of time to think about things. I'm now home with my wife and kids, as that's what matters, family that is. 

'Please people, Drive and Ride safe.'

Witness Craig Sheahan, who came across the scene while riding his motorbike and ran to their aid, described the heartbreaking ordeal on Facebook