According to the Sleaford Standard, Dean Hocking, bassist for U.K. heavy rockers NIGHTVISION, was killed in a car crash early Thursday morning (December 27) in Sleaford, England. The 23-year-old musician and an as-yet-unnamed 37-year-old fellow passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident happened at around 2:50 a.m. when a Vauxhall Astra left the road. No other vehicles are thought to have been involved and a 27-year-old local woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. She is currently helping police with their enquiries.

Formed in 2003, NIGHTVISION's definitive lineup took shape three years later when singer Dave McKee joined the group. Since that time, NIGHTVISION has primarily released music and toured in the U.K. Their sophomore album, "Consequence Of Sin", was released in 2011 and the band spent most of 2012 playing shows in support of it.

In a joint statement on Facebook on Thursday night, the remaining band members said: "There is nothing we can say that hasn't been said already other than to confirm the devastating and crushing loss of our incredible bass player Dean Hocking — tragically taken from us as a passenger in a road accident during the early hours.

"Needless to say, he was an incredible bass player — one of the best — and an incredible bloke.

"We obviously need the time to get this round our heads but in the meantime.....wherever you are... get a drink and raise it high as a toast to a fine, young, talented guy gone too soon.

"Turn it up to 11 and rumble the heavens, our brother. We love you, dude, and we are gonna miss you like you'll never know."



Photo below courtesy of NIGHTVISION's Facebook page