A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was killed on the A689 near Bishop Auckland yesterday (April 25) during a weekend of death and misery on the region’s roads.

The teenage pedestrian was walking with friends when he was struck by a grey VW Polo as it travelled westbound, at about 3.45pm, near Toronto Lodge.

The boy, who was local to the area, was flown to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by the Great North Air Ambulance but died of his injuries.

The road was closed between the Toronto Lodge roundabout and High Grange for about four hours and reopened shortly after 8pm.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service also sent two appliances and a special rescue unit to the scene.

Durham Police have confirmed only one vehicle was involved and the driver, who was uninjured, is helping them with their enquires.

They are now appealing for witnesses to come forward to help work out what happened.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: “Durham police would like to speak with anybody who may have witnessed the collision or who may have seen a group of youths walking between the two villages.”

Bishop Auckland Mayor, Colin Race, sent his condolences to the young boy’s family.

He said: “It’s a crying shame at that age and I send my condolences to the family because it’s a tragic loss for such a young boy.”

He added: “It’s out of the blue but when you see the traffic that is up there it would not surprise me because it’s gridlocked every night.”

Town councillor, David Fleming, also shared his condolences and said the whole town had been hit by the tragedy, with Bishop Auckland Golf Club flying its flags at half mast in honour of the teenager.

“Obviously with a tragedy such as this, our deepest thoughts go with the family at such a sad time,” Cllr Fleming said.

The incident follows a spate of crashes over the weekend, with a man being killed on the A688, near Staindrop, this morning (April 26).

The driver was killed in the single vehicle collision near Dunhouse Quarry.

The road, between Staindrop and Barnard Castle, was shut for about five hours from 5.45am and the police are still investigating the incident.

Another pedestrian was also injured in Darlington when a black Peugeot was involved in a collision on Whessoe Road, near the new McDonald’s, this morning (April 26).

The pedestrian is believed to have suffered minor injuries.

If you have any information about any of the incidents contact the Cleveland & Durham Specialist Operation Unit on 101 and ask for the Collision Investigation Unit or RPU Supervision.