A TEENAGER died yesterday when a car driven by his 16-year-old cousin crashed into a tree.

The accident happened at about 1.40am, when a silver Volkswagen Sharan people carrier containing four youths left the road and hit a large tree.

Police said the car had been travelling west on the A691 road between Durham City and Lanchester.

It had left the road a mile west of the turn-off for the village of Langley Park, at a tight right-hand bend, and collided with the tree.

One of the rear-seat passengers, Peter Michael Connor, 17, of Burnhope, County Durham, was certified dead at the scene.

All four youngsters belong to a large, but close- knit, travelling family.

Inspector Dave Hammond, from Durham Constabulary's traffic division, said: "The family are very distressed by Peter's death.

"Some of the family are up here visiting another relative who is in hospital, so this has been a double blow for them."

The driver, a 16-year-old boy, suffered facial and abdominal injuries. He is being treated at the University Hospital of North Durham, where his condition last night was described as not life threatening.

Officers will question him and the other two survivors over the accident when he is fit to be interviewed, but said there was nothing to indicate the car had been stolen.

"Our primary concern at the moment is their treatment," said Insp Hammond.

"We are in close touch with the family and will speak to them when we get the go-ahead from medical staff."

The front-seat passenger, a 17-year-old boy, and the other rear-seat passenger, a boy aged 14, both escaped with facial and minor head injuries.

Insp Hammond, who was among the emergency services who attended the crash site, said: "The car hit a substantial tree and it caused massive impact damage to the near side."

The road was closed until 6am while specialists from the police accident investigation unit examined the scene.

They believe the Volkswagen was the only vehicle involved in the accident, but would like to speak to any witnesses, or anyone who saw the car on the road in the hours leading up to the crash.

"We need to piece together the movements of the vehicle and occupants prior to the accident," said Insp Hammond.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the accident investigation unit on 0191-375 2159.