A CAR driver has been arrested following a crash that killed two teenage boys.

The crash on the A61 near Thirsk on Wednesday evening involved a VW Bora and Ford Focus.

Police said on Friday afternoon that the VW driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The two boys who died in the crash have been named locally as George Turner and Mason Pearson. 

The arrested man has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Inspector Dave Barf, from North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Group, said: “A 22-year-old local man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and released on police bail while enquiries continue.

The Northern Echo:

Mason Pearson was killed in the crash. Picture: Twitter

“The circumstances of the terrible collision which occurred on March 7 in which two young men lost their lives and others have been seriously injured, has inevitably been the subject of much comment and speculation on social media.

“The irresponsible spreading of information, which potentially has no basis in fact and may seriously prejudice the investigation, must be avoided.

“Anyone with information should contact the police and not commit it to social networks, where it only serves to cause additional distress to the families concerned and frustrate the investigation.”

The crash happened on the A61 between Busby Stoop and Carlton Miniott at around 9.25pm. Seven ambulances and two helicopters were called to the scene.

Another two passengers in the vehicle in which the boys died, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, remain in a critical condition in hospital.

The driver of the Ford Focus, a 27-year-old man from outside the area, was discharged from hospital following treatment.

A passenger in the car, a 24-year-old woman, is receiving treatment at hospital.

A three-year-old girl and a six-month old boy have also been kept in hospital for observation as a precaution.

  • Anyone with information that could help the police investigation should call 101 and ask for the Major Collision Investigation Team or email MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk and quote the reference number 12180039673.