A 16-year-old boy has died after a car collided with a tree on the A4104 in Worcestershire on Saturday night, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old driver.

West Mercia Police confirmed the single-vehicle collision took place at around 9.20pm on Saturday 12 September near Defford. The car, a blue Volkswagen Polo, had been travelling from the direction of Defford towards Dunstall when it struck a tree situated between the main carriageway and the slip road leading to Bourne Road.

Emergency services attended the scene, but the 16-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the Polo, suffered significant injuries and was pronounced dead at the roadside. Two other passengers in the vehicle, aged 16 and 17, sustained minor injuries.

The 18-year-old male driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving in excess of drink and drugs. BirminghamLive reported that he was subsequently interviewed by officers and has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

The collision is now the subject of an investigation by West Mercia Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, with specialist officers assigned to support the victim's family.

Detective Sergeant Rose Hughes from the unit issued an appeal for information following the crash, saying: "Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the boy who tragically lost his life yesterday. They are being supported by specialist officers and will be kept informed throughout the investigation process."

DS Hughes continued: "We are now appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision, or the vehicle travelling prior to the incident taking place. If you have any information or dashcam footage which may help us piece together the moments leading up to the collision, please get in contact with us."

Anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the A4104 around the time of the incident, or who has dashcam footage, is urged to contact the investigation team directly by emailing sciusouth@westmercia.police.uk or by dialling 101.

What we don't know yet is the exact sequence of events that caused the vehicle to leave the carriageway, and police have not publicly named the teenager who lost his life. Those details will form a central part of the ongoing police investigation and any future inquest proceedings.

With the driver currently on bail, officers will spend the coming days analysing collision evidence and reviewing submissions from motorists who were in the area. I'll be following this one — check back for updates as West Mercia Police release further findings.