Teen dead, three injured after car collides with tree in Salt Ash

An allegedly drunk L-plate driver was behind the wheel when he lost control on a rural road and crashed into a tree. His mate died in the collision, while three of his friends were hospitalised.

Police say a 17-year-old L-plater who lost control of his car and crashed into a tree, killing one of his mates and injuring three others, returned a positive roadside breath test after the incident.

Emergency services rushed to Lemon Tree Passage Road in Salt Ash just before 11pm last night, following reports of a single-vehicle crash.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived to find a white Ford Falcon sedan containing five young teens - four boys and a girl - between the ages of 14 and 17 had left the roadway and impacted with a tree.

Emergency services at the scene of the fatal crash. Picture: TNV

The driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing. Picture: TNV

Despite the efforts of paramedics and first responders, a teenage boy, aged 16, died on the way to hospital.

“The family has received some of the worst news they could possibly receive,” Inspector Fatih Samsa told media on Saturday.

“Even one death on our roads is one death too many.”

Three other teenage passengers, aged 14 and two 17-year-olds, were taken to John Hunter Hospital for various non-life-threatening injuries.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this crash commenced. Police have since confirmed the driver was on his learner’s license.

Despite the efforts of Ambulance Paramedics and first responders, a teenage boy died on the way to hospital. Picture: TNV

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this crash commenced. Picture: TNV

The 17-year-old boy, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing after returning a positive roadside breath test.

“The matter is still under investigation so it’s a bit early to say [if charges will be laid] at this stage,” Insp Samsa said.

With school holidays starting this weekend, Insp. Samsa urged drivers to be careful on the roads.

“Being the start of the school holidays, we’re obviously going to have more road users on the roads, especially young novice drivers,” he said.

“I recommend families talk to the young people in their family about safe driving and road safety, especially considering there’s going to be more young people on the roads over the next period.”

So far this year, 177 people have been killed on NSW roads - up from 162 deaths the same time last year.