A 23-year-old man has died after the car he was driving ploughed in to a post box.

David Nowlin of Brinkburn Avenue in Darlington died after the Vauxhall Nova he was driving came off the road as it went round a bend.

He was driving along Albert Road in Darlington when the crash happened on the bend into Cleveland Street.

His 17-year-old and 20-year-old passengers sustained various injuries and are being detained in Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The car was reported stolen earlier in the day.

Anyone who witnessed the accident, which happened at 9.10pm last night, is asked to call 0191-3864929.

Updated : 11:37, 15-02-02