Two Salmon Arm families are aching over the loss of their sons.

Edward (Austin) Blackburn, 19, and Eric Thomas Higgins, 18, were passengers in a car that crashed into a utility pole near the intersection of Highway 97B and Black Road about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

The third passenger, an 18-year-old female, is in hospital with what police describe as major injuries.

The 18-year-old male driver suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital.

“He was just a real good boy, he was one of those kind of kids that when he smiled the whole room just lit up,” Austin’s father Wilf said Monday.

“He was never afraid to take a challenge, no job was too big for him, he loved his friends and he loved life.”

Wilf says Austin graduated from Salmon Arm Secondary School in 2008 but had yet to decide on schooling or career options.

“We were talking about him going to college to take a few courses in September, but he hadn’t decided what he was going to do,” Wilf says.

“He could run machinery like a natural – tractors, power tools. He never messed things up.”

Wilf says his son enjoyed riding motorcycles and playing paintball and soccer.

"He was active and had a wide circle of friends,” he says, “and he lived his life to the fullest.”

Austin’s mother Fran agrees.

“The thing that comes to mind is that he was kind-hearted, a very kind-hearted boy,” she says of her youngest child.

“He was very easy to get along with.”

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. July 16, at the Blackburns’ home at 301 Hwy. 97B, about 1,000 feet past Haney Heritage Village on the right going toward Enderby. Everyone is welcome.

The sense of loss is no less at Eric Higgins’ home, where parents Tom and Michele and brother and sister-in-law Josh and Shelby are in mourning.

Speaking on behalf of her sister Michele and family, Sylvia Martin says they want people to know just how wonderful Eric was, his loyalty, dependability, humour and honesty.

“He was fun-loving,” says Martin.

“He had just been hired on at Salmon Arm Co-op and his boss there told Michele and Tom how Eric was so fun, he would take on dirty jobs without being asked and was very dependable.”

Martin says Eric, also a 2008 SAS grad, had at one time wanted to become a welder and had considered going back to school.

Turning back to the moment, Martin says Eric’s dad admired his son’s loyalty, honesty and quick wit.

“He hopes and prays that kids will learn to be careful and please wear seatbelts,” says a tearful Martin, noting how visits by young friends of both brothers have meant so much to the Higgins family. “They’re just amazing, their strength and compassion, they’ve made a huge difference in helping us get through this and we want them to keep coming after the service.”

A viewing will be held at 7 p.m. July 15 at Bowers Funeral Service at 440 10th St. SW.

Eric’s funeral is 1 p.m. Friday, July 17 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.

Following the funeral, a celebration of Eric’s life will take place at the home of Sylvia and Claude Martin at 1411 18th St. SE in the Hillcrest area.

“It’s an open house for adults and youths to gather together to share memories, to celebrate Eric,” says Martin.

“Everyone is welcome and it will last as long as it needs to.”

An RCMP news release states speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors in the crash and that none of the occupants was wearing a seatbelt.

RCMP have handed over the investigation to the provincial traffic unit.