The families of two graffiti artists from Muswell Hill and Hampstead who were killed at Loughborough Junction station on Monday, have paid tribute to them.

Alberto Fresneda Carrasco, from Hampstead, and Harrison Scott-Hood, from Muswell Hill, were killed alongside their friend and fellow graffiti artist Jack Gilbert after being hit by a train near the station in south London.

Harrison’s mum and dad, Susie and Perry paid tribute to their “kind and beautiful” 23-year-old son.

“We are completely heartbroken by the loss of our only son, Harrison. He was the love of our life, a kind and beautiful young man and we were beyond broken by this news.

“Harrison was loved by everyone, he was an intelligent and wonderful boy who had so many close friends. Over the past 24 hours we’ve received so many lovely messages of support from his friends and we are both grateful for all of their support and kindness. Hearing about their love and friendship for Harrison is helping us during this awful time.

“Many people will know Harrison loved to travel, he was a beautiful artist and spent time recently travelling around Vietnam and Cambodia.

“Harrison completed us. He is irreplaceable and we will hold the memories of him dearly.

“We now ask for privacy as we come to terms with the loss of Harrison.”

Alberto, who was born in New York, moved to Hampstead as a teenager in 2011. His family spoke of his passion for drawing, the 19-year-old was set to start a graphic design course in September.

His family said: “From a very young age, his passion was to draw. He was ready to study graphic design at the London College of Communication (LCC) from September. In recent years, he showed interest in the world of fashion and came up with a brand with his own designs. Another of his hobbies was buying clothes in charity shops and reselling it on the internet. He had a special eye for business.

“His absence has left a deep hole in the family. His mother Isabel, his father Carlos and his brothers Miguel (21) and Julio (14) appreciate the support and ask that their privacy be respected in these specially sad times for us and for the city.”

The British Transport Police have said they believe the three men were hit by an out-of-service passenger train just after 1am.

The train has since been forensically examined.

Det Supt Gary Richardson said: “We have a dedicated team working to establish how these young men came to be on the tracks in the early hours of yesterday morning.

“The initial evidence we have been able to gather indicates that the men may have been on the track for the purposes of spraying graffiti.

“We know the men were seen in the Brixton area of South London earlier on Sunday evening and we are working to trace their movements.

“I would continue to urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as they can – the best way is to call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, with reference 93 of 18 June.”