Five days after the horrific crash which claimed four lives on Oxford's Eastern bypass, two of the injured survivors are out of intensive care and in a "stable" condition.

Oxford schoolboys Marshall Haynes, Liam Hastings and Josh Bartlett, all 13, died on Saturday night when the Citroen Xsara they were in crossed the dual carriageway into the path of a Honda Civic, whose driver Howard Hillsdon, of Yarnton, was also killed.

Four other teenage boys in the Citroen, and the 45-year-old driver, Angela Dublin, were left fighting for their lives.

Accident investigators are continuing to investigate how the tragedy happened.

Mrs Dublin's son, Anton, 13, remains critically ill in the John Radcliffe Hospital, while his mother is in a similar condition in the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

One other teenage boy also remains in intensive care at the JR.

Two of the other boys, believed to be Connor Hunt and friend Aiden Wood, both 13, are now said to be in a "stable" condition out of intensive care.

Mrs Dublin had taken the boys out to mark Anton's birthday, and were on their way to a celebratory meal when the accident happened.

The police investigation will, among other things, look at why eight people were in the Citroen, which was designed to hold five people.

Questions are also being asked why such a busy stretch of road had no central crash barrier to prevent such a collision.

As the conditions of Mrs Dublin and her son, Anton, whose cousin is Leicester City footballer, Dion Dublin, continue to give concern, tributes are still flooding into the Oxford Mail Boys' Football League website from clubs and supporters.

One, from Wycombe Wanderers YFC, expresses "condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families who have already lost a child, and those who are still fighting".

It adds: "Although no-one at Wycombe knew the boys or played against them, we did see others from Oxford City two weekends ago, and know what a loss this will mean to everyone involved."

Another local caller wrote: "This is such a tragedy and waste of young lives. I pray that the boys in hospital make a full and speedy recovery, as well as the mother, and on behalf of Horspath Boys, I would like to offer our deeepest sympathy. RIP boys."

Another message said: "Deepest sympathy to all those families involved in the tragedy on Saturday. Hope the four boys make a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with you all, from the committee, managers, parents and players of Wantage Concords F.C. (U10's, U11's, U12's, U14's and U15's)."