THE parents of a young man who died after a freak road accident today revealed they had released his organs to help others.

Daniel Thompson, who worked as a HGV mechanic in Blackburn, was thrown from a Land Rover Discovery as he returned with friends from a cinema trip to see the new Spider-Man movie.

His friend Nicholas Walsh, 26, of Crow Trees Road, Sabden, swerved to avoid some sheep which had strayed on to Whalley Road, Sabden, as they travelled home from Burnley.

The two men were travelling with 17-year-old Lydia Dyson, of Clitheroe Road, Sabden, when the accident occurred, at around 10pm on Thursday.

All three were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, and Daniel, of Whalley Road, Sabden, died of the massive internal injuries less than 24 hours later.

His parents Carole and Roger were at the 20-year-old's bedside when he died. But they stressed that they did not blame Nicholas for what had happened.

Carole said: "We cannot believe it has happened. He was in the prime of his life.

"He had such a zest for life. His life was just beginning.

"We have agreed for his organs to be released. It was something we did because we knew it was in accordance with his wishes.

"We are trying to take some comfort from the fact that other people may get better with his organs but we cannot believe it has happened."

Daniel -- whose 17-year-old sister Sophie is a student at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School -- was a former pupil of Ribblesdale High School.

After leaving school, he went straight into a mechanic's apprenticeship at Sabden Service Station.

Following his apprenticeship, he moved to Neale's Waste Management in Blackburn where he was an HGV mechanic.

Roger said: "It was a job he absolutely loved. He just adored working with machinery and repairing it.

"He used to go into Sabden Service Station before he left school during the holidays. Then he got his apprenticeship and then the job in Blackburn.

"It was his dream job and he loved it every day.

"His life was only just beginning and he had so much to look forward to, and so much to give.

"He was also a fun-loving lad and we have never heard a word against him.

"Everyone is devastated."

The whole community in Sabden was today trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Former colleagues at Sabden Service Station were said to be devastated by the news.

Carole added: "The phone has not stopped ringing and people have been coming around to the house ever since they heard what has happened.

"Everybody liked him, young and old. He was such a pleasant lad, and his death has shocked so many people.

"We would like to thank the community for their support."

In his spare time, Daniel also took part in rallies as part of the Northern Counties Trials Association.

Roger said: "He was a navigator and it was something else he really enjoyed doing."

No arrangements have yet been made for Daniel's funeral.

Driver Nicholas, who suffered a broken arm in the crash, left hospital soon after being admitted.

Lydia, who suffered facial injuries and has also undergone surgery to put plates in a badly broken arm, remained in Blackburn Royal Infirmary today.