A family consoled each other as they went to the spot where their teenage daughter lost her life.

Tracey Barnett, 16, suffered fatal injuries when she was thrown from a car in a crash on the outskirts of Durham City.

She was travelling with three other people in a blue Peugeot 306 along the A181, when the driver lost control at Sherburn House, at 7.30pm on Friday.

Her parents, Jimmy and Barbara, both 37, and two other family members, last night visited the scene of the accident.

Mr Barnett said: "It is a bad time, we are very upset."

The family, from the Gore Hill Estate in Thornley, were said to be "utterly devastated" by the tragedy.

They spent at least ten minutes reading the scores of cards left with flowers at the scene of the accident.

One tribute read: "From Mum and Dad, goodnight sweetheart, we will always love you."

A poignant message read: "Tracey, the angels took you too soon and left me with tears. You were a mint friend that I will never forget, nighty night, love, Nicola."

Tracey, who left Wellfield Comprehensive School on Thursday, was returning from a DIY store in Durham when the accident happened.

The car's 17-year-old driver, who passed his test two weeks ago, walked from the car uninjured after the accident, but then collapsed. He was taken to hospital, along with two other 17-year-olds in the car.

A police spokesman said the driver hit a kerb, mounted the pavement, veered on to the other side of the carriageway and was in collision with a taxi travelling in the other direction.

The Peugeot then hit a stone wall of a house and spun along the road. Tracey was catapulted from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.

The spokesman said: "Accident investigators have established Tracey had not been wearing a seatbelt."

The driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released on bail.

The front-seat passenger suffered head injuries and the third passenger suffered back injuries.

The taxi driver, who is from east Durham, was uninjured. His three female passengers from the Peterlee area suffered minor injuries.

Durham Police accident investigators want to speak to any witnesses, particulary a motorist wearing a red top and driving a black car, who called the emergency services.

They can be contacted on 0191-375 2159.