A YOUNG man who died when the car he was travelling in careered off a village road was out celebrating his coming of age.

John Gary Robson, of Coronation Terrace, New Kyo, near Stanley, had met friends to celebrate his 18th birthday when tragedy struck last Friday night.

Mr Robson was a passenger in a blue Citroen ZX Avantage which, police believe, careered out of control in Annfield Plain, crashing into a lamp-post before hitting a wall.

The driver, 17-year-old Lee Darren Craggs, of South View Gardens, Annfield Plain, died at the scene.

Mr Robson, was pronounced dead on arrival at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The pair were both former pupils of Greencroft School.

Two other passengers, both 20-year-old men from the Stanley area, sustained injuries in the crash and were also taken to the University Hospital.

One, from Annfield Plain, was released on Tuesday. The second is still being treated, but his condition was said to be comfortable and stable.

The Citroen was the only car involved in the accident, which took place in wet conditions, on the road between Shield Row and South View, Annfield Plain.

The car hit a wooden lamp-post and demolished part of a wall outside the Masonic Hall, on South View. Accident investigators believe the car went out of control as it travelled past the hall, at about 9pm on Friday.

Families of the victims were being comforted by relatives.

Mr Robson's grandfather said: "My heart goes out to all four families involved."

Michelle Hodgson, the county councillor for Annfield Plain, said: "I feel such sympathy for everyone involved. You can't imagine what they must be going through.

"Lots of people in the community are feeling this tragic loss. It's awful at any time, but at this particular time of year it just seems to make it that much worse."

Durham force accident investigators have renewed appeals for information from witnesses to the incident, which took place shortly after 9pm on Friday, December 19.

A local motorist, who emerged from a nearby junction just before the accident, said the Citroen appeared to lose control and spin around, before it hit the lamp-post.

One of the passengers is believed to have been thrown from the car, and was attended by passers-by, although an ambulance was on the scene within a matter of minutes.

Durham Police officers are still appealing for information from witnesses to the crash or anyone who might have seen the Citroen before the accident.

Anyone who can help should call (0191) 375 2159.