A COMMUNITY is today coming to terms with the death of a local teenager following a police pursuit in Spennymoor.

Tributes have been pouring in for the 19-year-old, named locally as Kelvin James Bainbridge, who was thought to be involved in a police chase on Friday afternoon, around school pick-up time.

It is understood the father-of-one was in a Nissan Primera which was involved in a pursuit, before colliding with a wall off Central Drive in Middlestone Moor.

The street is around the corner from two schools, Whitworth Park Academy and The Oaks secondary school.

Floral tributes and messages have been left at the scene.

One message reads: “Never ever forget you my brother, always my brother, love you so much my homie.”

Another says: “Rest in paradise bro. You will be engraved in my heart I will miss you so so much and I will never forget you ever.”

A large number of people gathered at the scene yesterday, while the area was cordoned off, with witnesses describing a “hostile and tense environment”.

An investigation has now been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

IOPC Interim Regional Director David Ford said: “We understand that shortly after 2.30pm a Durham Constabulary marked police car followed a Nissan Primera. After the pursuit the vehicle crashed on Central Drive, Middlestone Moor.

"The 19-year-old man driving the Nissan was fatally injured during the incident. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends and anyone affected by this sad incident.

"We are attending the scene and the post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence. Anyone who witnessed events leading up to the collision is asked to contact the IOPC on 0800 096 9076 or email witness@policeconduct.gov.uk”