TRIBUTES were today (Wednesday, June 26) paid to two teenagers who died in a triple-fatal car crash at the weekend.

Megan Robinson, 19, of Thornley, County Durham, died in hospital yesterday without regaining consciousness, following the crash on Sunday.

Rebecca Learoyd, 18, of Thornley, and grandmother Anne Peachey, 60, of Sherburn Hill, died at the scene. They were the respective drivers of a Fiat 500 and Citroen Xsara which were involved in collision on the Front Street in Shotton Colliery.

Megan, a front seat passenger in the Fiat, was studying at Peterlee’s East Durham College, where she was due to complete her City and Guilds functional skills qualification in mathematics in August.

A college spokesman said: “As a close community at East Durham College we are all deeply saddened by the news of the death of Megan Robinson.

“Megan will be sadly missed by all that knew her. Our hearts go out to her family and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.”

Rebecca was a former student at the college. The spokesman added: “We are all still trying to come to terms with the news of this tragic death.”

Mrs Peachey’s daughter Joanne, 33, and her 13-year-old granddaughter, Adele Harland, who were passengers in the Citroen, are recovering in hospital.

Police believe the Fiat was travelling eastward along with a third vehicle - a grey MGZR car - when it collided with the Citroen, coming from the opposite direction.

A 22-year-old male driver of the MG, who is from Wingate, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later released on police bail until mid-July, pending further inquiries.