A 20-YEAR-OLD man arrested in connection with the death of three sixth-form students in a car crash was yesterday released on bail pending inquiries, police said.

Friends Oliver Cross, Thomas Dunn and Michael Tempest, all 16, died on the A58 near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, last Friday.

The 17-year-old driver of the red Ford Escort, who has not been named, was seriously hurt and is in a stable condition in York District Hospital.

The teenagers had recently left Wetherby School and were in the sixth-form at St Aiden's School, Harrogate. Their car was involved in a collision with a silver Renault Kangoo, driven by a County Durham couple.

Its 62-year-old driver suffered a broken leg and her husband, 68, escaped with cuts and bruises.

Superintendent Dave Buxton, of West Yorkshire Police, said the stretch of road had a history of serious accidents.

Yesterday, the students' headteacher, Dennis Richards, said: "They were very well liked and they were bright individuals who clearly had good futures ahead of them.

"The school is really in shock at the moment and we have counsellors here and also clergy for people to talk to."

Books of condolence have also been opened.

Michael Tempest, known as Tempo, was the son of former footballer and TV betting pundit Dale Tempest, who played for Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Gillingham and Colchester United before moving to Hong Kong, where Michael was born.

He was a keen sportsman, playing in goal for Wetherby Athletic under 17s and a member of the Golf Club Juniors. He was also a drummer in local band Panic Frenzy.

Police said Oliver Cross was a very popular teenager who had gained 12 A and A GCSEs.

Witnesses to the crash are asked to contact police on 0845-6060-247 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.