Teens dies after slamming into parked tow truck at Thornleigh

WITNESSES have told of their desperate attempts to help a 17-year-old P-plater who died after his ute slammed into a parked tow truck in Sydney’s north early this morning.

A teenager is dead after he slammed his ute into a parked flat bed tow truck in Sydney’s north this morning.

The horror crash took place on Duffy Ave about 1.20am. It is understood the metal tray of the tow truck struck the 17-year-old upon impact, killing him instantly.

The P-plater’s male passenger, also 17, was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with minor injuries.

The cab of the ute was crushed by the tow truck tray. Picture: Bill Hearne

Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the incident. Seven News is reporting police will look into whether alcohol was a factor.

Two sets of skid marks can be seen leading up to the spot where the driver lost control and struck the truck.

Two sets of skid marks were left on the road leading up to the spot where the ute struck the truck. Picture: Bill Hearne

A Thornleigh local, who did not wish to be identified as one of his company’s trucks was involved, said he was woken up by a loud bang and went outside to investigate.

“I actually drive for Abal (Towing) so it was one of our trucks that got hit, and it was just unfortunate what we came out to,” he said.

The teenage driver was killed instantly. Picture: Bill Hearne

Once he realised there was nothing he could do for the driver, he backed off to let emergency services do their job.

“It was pretty bad, I kind of just got away from there because we deal with that kind of stuff for our job — first one there is not what you need to see.

“You try and do what you can but he just wasn’t well.”

The man said the passenger in the ute escaped with “not even a scratch”.

The scene this morning. Skid marks can be seen on the road. Picture Sam McBeath

“He was obviously shaken up getting out of the car after seeing how his mate was,” he said.

Another witness said the passenger managed to get out of the vehicle very quickly.

“We were out here in the times it takes to throw a pair of shorts and a T-shirt on but he was already out of the car and on the other side,” he said.

A blue Ford Fiesto with red P-plates was parked just a short distance from the crash and was following behind the ute at the time of the crash, according to the witness.

“It was following behind them with some more of his mates in it.”

Thornleigh resident Phillip Kwok, 40, was about to go to bed when he heard the horrifying crash.

“I just heard a big screech that you hear when a car accelerates,” he said.

“But then within two seconds I heard a loud brake and then it just went crash — within two seconds.”

The software engineer who has lived on Duffy Ave for eight ears said it was normally a “safe street”.

“I just don’t know how it happened because there’s a red light there so the guy must have been trying to take off or something — I just don’t know how t happened so quickly,” he said.

The 17-year-old passenger remains in Royal North Shore Hospital.

A report will now be prepared for the Coroner.