Floral tributes to a teenager believed to be out celebrating her 18th birthday have been left at the roadside where she died in a car crash.
A community is in mourning following the tragic death of Abbie Devanney, who was from Consett, late on Saturday night.
She was in a blue Ford Fiesta with four other young people when the driver lost control and the car rolled over.
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Emergency services were called to Brooms Lane near Leadgate at around 10pm but Abbie was pronounced dead at the scene.
Flowers and moving tributes have been left at the side of the winding country road where the tragic incident happened.
In a moving and emotional letter, one of Abbie’s friends wrote: “I'm so sorry this has happened to you.
“I can't even put into words how much I love and miss you, how happy we were celebrating your birthday.”
“Still can't believe you're actually gone. It will haunt me forever.
“You will never be forgotten by me, forever 18 and forever in my heart.”
No other vehicles were involved in the crash and police said a 17-year-old boy has been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.
Three other passengers, a teenage boy and two teenage girls, were seriously injured in the crash and were taken to hospital.
Abbie, a devoted Newcastle United fan, was popular with her friends and her death has had a profound effect on the wider community.
Durham County Councillor Stephen Robinson, who represents the Shotley Bridge area, where Abbie’s family live, said he was ‘gutted’ to hear the sad news of her death.
He said: “It is absolutely tragic and this has affected everybody around here.
“They are a very well-known family and are very close. My heart goes out to them.
“My thoughts and prayers are with them.
“All fatal accidents are tragic, but Abbie had her whole life ahead of her.”
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In a statement Abbie’s family said she was a much-loved daughter, sister and granddaughter who will be sadly missed.
Police officers would like to speak to anyone who may have information that could assist their investigation, or anyone with any dashcam footage of the vehicle before the collision.
Anyone who can help should call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 475 of October 21.
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