A FOOTBALL club has vowed tragic twins Afonso and Domingos will be “never forgotten” after they were among six killed in a horror head-on smash in Portugal.

The 20-year-old siblings, their dad Domingos Serrano, 55, wife Maria Joao, 51, and two others all died in the early hours of Saturday.

The family had just rented a Nissan Juke at Faro Airport before they smashed into another vehicle on the IP2 main road near Castro Verde.

The 19-year-old girlfriend of one of the twins – believed to be of Polish origin but living in the UK – was also killed, along with the other driver, 36-year-old Ruben Goncalves.

Local reports said Goncalves, from Almodovar, worked at the Neves-Corvo zinc-copper mine and had a four-year-old son.

Thetford Town Youth FC, where the twins once played, paid tribute in a heartfelt Facebook post.

It read: “Thetford Town Football Club would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Serrano family and the local Portuguese community after the recent tragedy while on holiday.

“Afonso and Domingo’s were both an integral part of our U18’s team in recent years, both brothers sadly passed away in Portugal with their parents and friends in a tragic car accident.”

The club said their loss would leave a “massive void” in the local community, signing off with a Portuguese phrase meaning: “They are gone, but they will never be forgotten.”

It added in a separate post: “They will be sadly missed. Condolences to all their family. Rest in peace.”

Shocked locals have also shared their condolences online.


Heidi Smith commented: “Absolute shock a lovely family and will be missed.”

Michelle Jermy added: “Absolutely heartbreaking. Such a loss, condolences to all those grieving and thinking of family, friends and the wider community processing the pain from this sad news. Rest in peace.”

Louise McLaughlin, from Thetford, said: “Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in peace.”

Tania Marques Da Cruz wrote: “My most sincere condolences to all those killed. I hope their souls rest in peace.


“It’s so sad to hear of people leaving their homeland and friends in search of a better life and then have their lives end like this. How unfair life is.”

Cesar Caleiro said: “My sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed. Mourao must rally round to comfort the families of the victims.”

The crash happened around 1.40am on a stretch of road where the speed limit is 49mph.

The family – originally from Mourao in the Evora district but long settled in England – had landed at Faro Airport just hours earlier and were driving north for their summer break.

Domingos, believed to live in Thetford, Norfolk, had celebrated his 55th birthday only two days before boarding the flight to Portugal.

A source close to the investigation said the wreckage was so severe “officers could only recover half a number plate” before piecing together who was inside.

The grim discovery came after the couple’s daughter called police, unable to reach her parents or brothers after hearing about the crash.

The insider said: “With the information she gave them officers made checks with the hire car firm at Faro Airport and tragically discovered a match.

“That was how they were able to confirm the identities of the five occupants in the car with the four members of the same family inside.”

The GNR police force is investigating the cause of the smash.

Mourao town hall has declared two days of mourning from Sunday.

A spokesman said: “There were four occupants in the car, all from Mourao, and a young woman with ties to the family.

“Residents of England, they were traveling from Faro to Mourao for their usual and well-deserved vacation.

“It is with great sadness that the Municipality announces this information, offering its condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

“We inform you that all activities and events promoted by the Municipality are cancelled for the entire weekend.”