Teenager dies, three injured in Salt Ash car crash, with 17-year-old learner driver breath-tested at scene
In short:
A 16-year-old boy has died after a single vehicle crash at Salt Ash, near Newcastle.
The teenage driver, who holds a learner licence, allegedly returned a positive breath test at the scene.
What's next?
An investigation is underway, with police asking drivers to come forward with any relevant dash cam footage.
The family of a teenage boy who died in a single-vehicle crash in the New South Wales Hunter region says he was a "beautiful" and "warm and loving" young man.
Police said the 16-year-old was in a car with four other teenagers aged between 14 and 17 years old, that was found crashed into a tree at Salt Ash, near Newcastle.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Lemon Tree Passage Road, Salt Ash, about 10.45pm yesterday evening.
Police said the sedan had left the road and hit a tree.
The 16-year-old boy died on the way to hospital.
The boy's father, aunt and cousin visited the scene today.
The teenager's cousin came from Sydney to visit the site. (ABC Newcastle: Lillian Watkins)
His father sat devastated at the site where his young son had lost his life.
The ABC has chosen not to identify the teenager or his family.
'Great all round-kid'
"He had the most beautiful eyes, with long eyelashes," said the boy's aunt, who spoke to the media at the scene of the crash.
"[He had a] cute cheeky little smile, very warm and loving, and loved his grandmother so much. He couldn't go a day without telling her how much he loved her.
"He loved his dad. He was just a great all-round kid."
A 14-year-old and two 17-year-olds were taken to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for various non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the sedan, a 17-year-old boy, allegedly tested positive to a roadside breath test and was taken for mandatory testing.
"I can confirm the driver was the holder of a learner licence", said Inspector Fatih Samsa from Port Stephens-Manning Highway Patrol.
Inspector Fatih Samsa, from Port Stephens-Manning Highway Patrol, urged drivers to take extra care during the school holidays. (ABC Newcastle: Lillian Watkins)
"The matter is still under investigation so it's a bit early to say [if charges will be laid] at this stage."
He said the family of the victim, and the families of those injured, had been notified.
"The families have received some of the worst news they can possibly receive."
School holidays caution
With term two wrapping up yesterday for New South Wales school children, Inspector Samsa urged families and drivers to take care on the road.
"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.
"One death on our roads is one death too many."