Teenagers killed in Morpeth road accident named locally as Riley Hedley and Mikey Easton

A large number of floral tributes have been left at the scene of the accident.

Heartfelt tributes have been paid online after two teenage boys died in a road accident in Morpeth.

The crash happened shortly after 12.40am yesterday (Sunday), on the A196 near Coopies Way.

Officers and emergency services attended the scene but sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the driver and his passenger – aged 17 and 16 – could not be saved.

They have been named locally as Riley Hedley and Mikey Easton.

The accident happened on the A196, close to Coopies Way and the Bristol Street Motors garage.

Among the tribute posts on social media is one from Mikey’s dad, Michael, who said: “Hardest post ever. Fly high my beautiful little boy.....Totally gutted, devastated – hope you are peace my little angel dad and mam love you so much.”

His sister Ebony posted: “I can’t believe you are gone it doesn’t feel real, we miss you so much already.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to say, I’m still so shocked you're gone but we had some great times and even better memories.”

One of Riley’s friends said: “Was only Friday you were telling me all this stuff you had planned ahead of your future – taken far too soon.”

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the accident on the A196 to contact them.

Another comment says: “Heart goes out to the family and friends of Riley Hedley and Mikey Easton, both canny young lads and still doesn’t feel real they are both gone.”

Some of the boys’ friends have visited the scene to console each other and leave floral tributes in memory of the young men. One of the bouquets carried the poignant message: “Fly high Mikey”.

An online fundraising page that says Riley and Mikey were “the best of friends” has been set-up by Ebony and Kacie Grant to raise funds for the funeral costs – https://www.gofundme.com/f/mikey-easton-and-riley-hedley – and it has already reached the £1,000 mark.

Both sets of families are currently being supported by specialist officers and an investigation is underway to try and determine how the accident happened.

Police are also appealing for any witnesses, especially anyone who might have dashcam footage, to come forward.

Sergeant Craig Bartle, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols department, said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident involving two young men who had their whole lives ahead of them.

“Our thoughts go out to both the young men’s families and close ones as they attempt to come to terms with today’s devastating news.

“We will support them in every way we can and ask that the family’s privacy is respected.

“An investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision and we’re asking for anyone who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch, especially if you were travelling in the area and may have some information or dashcam footage that could help our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately by using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on their website, or calling 101 quoting log NP-20230312-0045.