Two boys, 13 and 17, die in horror motorbike crash near busy roundabout as cops appeal for dashcam footage

TWO boys have died in a horror motorbike crash with cops launching an urgent appeal.

The teens, 13 and 17, were both killed in a smash which unfolded at a roundabout in Rushyford, County Durham .

One of the boys died at the scene, while the other was rushed to hospital where he tragically died.

Durham Police say they believe the pair were both on the motorbike at the time of the crash and have pleaded with witnesses to come forward.

The force said: “Two males have sadly died following a collision in Rushyford.

“Emergency services were called to reports of a collision on Middridge Road, near to the Rushyford roundabout, shortly before noon on Friday, July 5.

“One male was pronounced dead at the scene, and a second was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

“Both males are believed to have been travelling on the same motorcycle.

“Their families have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”

Great North Air Ambulance added: “We received a call at 12pm on Friday to reports of a road traffic incident on the Rushyford roundabout.

“We dispatched four ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, a specialist paramedic, a crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

“One patient was taken by road to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.”

Councillor Dorothy Bowman, of Great Aycliffe Town Council, said she knew the boys from when they were tots.

She said: “It’s terribly sad.

“I have known them since they were toddlers. They both came to my playgroup – the Newton Aycliffe Junior Neighbourhood Watch playgroup.

“I looked after them and played with them.

“I never had a wrong word from them, or any problems with them and I have been with them for years – one is now 13 and the other 17 years old.”

Anyone with any information or dashcam footage relating to the incident is asked to contact Durham Constabulary Serious Collision Investigation Unit via sciu@durham.police.uk or on 101, quoting incident number 144 of July 5.

Durham Police statement in full:

Two males have sadly died following a collision in Rushyford.

Emergency services were called to reports of a collision on Middridge Road, near to the Rushyford roundabout, shortly before noon on Friday, July 5.

One male was pronounced dead at the scene, and a second was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

Both males are believed to have been travelling on the same motorcycle.

Their families have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

No-one else was injured.

Middridge Road and part of the A689 were closed for several hours while enquiries were carried out, but both had reopened by Friday evening.

Anyone with any information or dashcam footage relating to the incident is asked to contact Durham Constabulary Serious Collision Investigation Unit via sciu@durham.police.uk or on 101, quoting incident number 144 of July 5.