TWO young men were killed in a stolen car when it crashed into a traffic island in Darlington and careered into a parked van.

One of the men was thrown from the car, while the other was trapped in the vehicle - which then caught fire.

Both men died at the scene of the crash, which happened in Yarm Road at about 4am yesterday.

Last night, police said the red Rover MG the men were travelling in had been stolen from an address in the town.

Police have identified the men - one 22-year-old and the other a 24-year-old, both from Darlington - but will not release their names because there is an inquiry into the crime and others may be involved.

At the accident site yesterday, neighbours who were awoken by the crash described their shock.

Eric Sowerby, 42, who owned the van that the men crashed into, said: "There was a massive bang. I looked out in the street and my van had moved about four to five metres up the road. It has been completely written off."

Mr Sowerby went outside to try to help the man who was thrown from the car.

"I saw the body and I wanted to help, but there was nothing I could do," he said.

Across the street, Allan Simpson, 25, also rushed outside to help the man in the road.

He said: "I took a duvet out into the street and laid it on the lad to keep him warm.

"Christ knows what speed they were going. There are a lot of crashes outside here. I have had a parked car written off before.

"My wife said 'that's somebody's bairn just before Christmas'."

Ten fire officers went to the scene. Andy Mackay, district fire service manager, said: "The damage was extensive. It was an unpleasant sight.

"The impact triggered a fire, but that was dealt with quite quickly."

Last night, flowers had been tied to a bollard next the scene of the accident.

One read: "To Rob my brother, I will always remember you as a mental raver. Respect, Robert, Lercy and Lisa. See you soon."

Inspector Paul Etherington, of Durham Police, appealed for anyone who had witnessed the crash, or anyone who had seen the red Rover MG being driven earlier, to get in touch.

He said: "The car had been stolen earlier from a burglary in the Darlington area.

"Losing two lives as a result of a car accident is always tragic, and we are keen to trace any witnesses."

Anyone who can help the police is asked to call 0191-375 2159.