THE family of a teenager who died in a crash have described him as a “lovely lad.”

Seventeen-year-old Stephen Thompson, of Bearpark, near Durham, was a passenger in a Skoda Fabia, which lost control and struck a wall on the B6302 Newhouse Road, near Priestburn, Esh Winning.

Accident investigators say the incident happened near to the 30mph signs at around 7.15am on Saturday.

His family have paid tribute saying: “Stephen was a beloved son who will be sadly missed. 

“He was training to be a bricklayer at New College Durham and was a huge Newcastle United fan. 

“He had a large group of friends and his loss will be felt by so many.”

The Northern Echo: Floral tributes left at scene of crash in Esh Winning

Paramedics, fire and rescue and police attended but Stephen was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 

The male driver and female front seat passenger are in a serious condition in hospital. Their condition has been described as not life-threatening. 

Stephen is survived by mother Michelle Heeney, father Ronald Thompson, 26-year-old brother Dean Pattinson and 22-year-old sister Rebecca Pattinson.

Traffic officers are trying to discover what caused the car to lose control. 

It is understood that the silver car was travelling in a south-eastwards direction on Newhouse Road, entering Esh Winning from the direction of nearby Cornsay Colliery when it left the carriageway to its nearside.

Police would like to speak with anybody who may have seen the car at or around the time of the collision. 

  • Anybody with information should contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 0191-3752159 or on 101 quoting reference DHM-01072017-0112.