[T]HE family of a teenager who died in a crash have described him as a “lovely lad.”
Seventeen-year-old Stephen Thompson, from Bearpark, County Durham, was a passenger in a Skoda Fabia which lost control and struck a wall on the B6302 Newhouse Road, near Priestburn, Esh Winning, in County Durham.
Accident investigators say the incident occurred near to the 30mph signs at around 7.15am on Saturday 1 July.
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.”
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 currently in a serious condition in hospital.
Stephen is survived by mother Michelle Heeney, father Ronald Thompson, 26-year-old brother Dean Pattinson and 22-year-old sister Rebecca Pattinson.
Durham Constabulary would like to speak with anybody who may have seen the silver Skoda Fabia car at or around the time of the collision. Anybody with information is requested to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 0191 3752159 or on 101 quoting reference DHM-01072017-0112.