John McIntyre: "A tragedy which has affected the whole community"

The men were killed in an accident involving their minibus, an articulated lorry and a car on the A42 near Measham in Leicestershire. Thirteen other people were injured.

They were among 17 players and supporters of Groby Stamford FC who hired a minibus to take them to the Snowdome in Tamworth for a night out.

Businesses have closed as a mark of respect

Bill Thompson, whose son Paul died, said: "This is the worst loss I can imagine. Paul loved his football, he loved life and he loved his friends."

The landlord at the Stamford Arms, Malcolm Jennings, said: "The players of this club are more than just customers of the pub - they are personal friends.

"Our thoughts at this time go out to the families of all those who have been affected by this tragedy."

The BBC's Richard Bilton: "Ambulances were parked up like a taxi rank"

Club Chairman, Dick Smith, said: "We have got an enormous task ahead of us for the future. I am sure that all of the lads, wherever they are now, would want to see us continue and try to make the best of a disastrous situation."

The crash happened at around 2015 on Monday between junctions 11 and 12 southbound on the A42. Four of the men died in or shortly after the crash. The fifth died in hospital later on Tuesday morning.

The team was on a night out

The dead were named as Stephen Curtis, of Warren Hill, Newtown Linford; Paul Thompson, of Groby; Stephen Parker, of Groby; Panayi Kouroushi, of Groby; and Jeremy Goodhall, of Leicester Forest East.

The driver of the articulated lorry is being treated in hospital, while the driver of a Ford Escort involved in the accident reportedly escaped unhurt.

Investigators are looking at the possibility that freezing fog had begun to descend at the time of the accident and may have been a contributing factor.

Witness Simon Barnard, a service engineer, said: "It's a very busy overcrowded road which grinds to a halt for an hour both morning and night and I'm not surprised there was a crash there."

Rescue services spokesman Peter Miles: "The rescue operation is winding down"

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Peter Miles said the operation began to wind down at around 2300 as heavy fog descended.

The crash was attended by 10 ambulances from four counties.

Inspector Peter Bruton, of Leicestershire Police, said there had been "a lot of distress and a lot of panic among the injured".