Scouts pay tribute to 'cheeky' boys killed in crash

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News image — Christchurch Scouting paid tribute to 'adventurous' Finley and Tobias Rice

Christchurch Scouting Two photos side-by-side showing brothers Finley and Tobias Rice. Finley is wearing a red scouts uniform with badges down the arm and is hugging a red flag on a pole. Finley is wearing a green scouts uniform and is making the three-finger scouts salute. Both boys have short fair hair. — Christchurch Scouting paid tribute to 'adventurous' Finley and Tobias Rice

Two brothers who were killed in a car crash in Cornwall will be remembered for their "cheeky nature", their scout group has said.

Eight-year-old Tobias Rice and his five-year-old brother Finley, from Christchurch, Dorset, were travelling to St Ives on 28 May when they were involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the A30 in Cornwall near Connor Downs.

In a tribute, Christchurch Scouting said their scouting family was "heartbroken", adding: "Their kindness, friendship, laughter and adventurous spirit touched so many lives within our scout family and beyond."

The group said the boys were "always the life of the party" and would be remembered "for the good times we had".

Posting on Facebook, the group said the boys "absolutely loved" scouting and had attended events, alongside their parents, since birth.

They said: "Tobias was one of our very first squirrels in the district... and has proudly progressed through the sections, becoming a cub in January.

"Finley, following in his brother's footsteps, was so pleased to become a squirrel, and both boys have always loved joining in with all the activities.

"The boys touched the lives of everyone they met and their cheeky nature was often something that made everyone smile."

Family photo Two young boys with short, light-brown hair lean in for a photo — Tobias and Finley were heading to St Ives when they were involved in a multi-vehicle crash

The scout group said their thoughts were with the boys' family and their wider family, friends and fellow scouters.

They said: "It is hard to imagine life going forward without these two wonderful boys, however, one thing is for sure - they were always the life of the party and they would certainly want us to remember all the good times we had.

"Sleep peacefully, boys. Your next adventure has begun, and we will carry you with us wherever we go."

The boys' parents said the brothers were "enjoying life to the full, through their love of school and scouting".

They added: "Everyone that they met on the way now has a hole in their hearts."

Priory CE Primary School head teacher Simon Croutear said the boys were "cherished members of our school family" and would be "immensely missed".

Devon and Cornwall Police said a local man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was treated for minor injuries.