Ben Dines, 21, and Liam Moreland, 20, named as victims of horror crash

A mother has described her son as having a “heart of gold” after he was killed in a crash on the Geelong Ring Rd on Thursday.

Young dad Ben Dines, 21, has been identified as one of the victims of the fatal crash on the Geelong Ring Rd on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

The devastated mother of a young dad who died in a horrific car crash has described him as having a “heart of gold”.

Ben Dines has been named as one of the victims of a fatal smash on the Geelong Ring Road on Thursday.

Mr Dines, 21, and his friend, Liam Moreland, 20, were travelling in a sedan when it collided with a black ute about 5.25pm.

They both died at the scene.

A driver and passengers from the ute, including two men and three primary school-aged children, were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

As of Friday afternoon, all remained in a stable condition.

Liam Moreland, 20, died in a crash on the Geelong Ring Rd on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

Mr Dines’ mother, Tiffany Burns, described her son as the “most amazing” man.

She said his life “turned around” after the birth of his baby daughter, Navy Rose, in July last year.

“He was the funniest character … he was always joking,” Ms Burns told the Geelong Advertiser.

Mr Dines was estranged from his mother and they had not spoken in about 18 months.

“I can’t ever get that time back,” Ms Burns said.

He worked as a concreter and had always wanted to be a tradie.

“(He would say) I don’t like books, I like doing things,” Ms Burns said.

In his earlier years, Mr Dines umpired football with AFL Barwon and was a volunteer firefighter.

“He joined as a junior firefighter and he ended up going into the seniors,” she said.

Ben Dines, 21, and his mother Tiffany Burns. Picture: Supplied

Growing up, Ms Burns said her son always had a “cheeky and “mischievous” grin.

“You would be telling him off for something, but you couldn’t because he was just so adorable,” she said.

Ms Burns said her son was “great with kids” and acted like a father figure to his two sisters and brother.

“He would be heartbroken to think those kids are in hospital … if he had of survived and something happened to those kids, he would never have forgiven himself,” she said.

“The world has lost the most amazing person.

“He was a ratbag, but he was my ratbag.”

The scene of a fatal crash on the Geelong Ring Rd on Thursday. Picture: David Smith

The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined and police are investigating.

The smash caused traffic chaos of the Geelong Ring Rd with both Geelong-bound lanes closed until after 8pm.

Traffic was at a standstill between Ballarat and Anakie roads with reports cars were backed up to Corio.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Ben Dines, 21, and Liam Moreland, 20, named as victims of horror crash