Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a popular teenager who died in a crash following a police pursuit.
Kelvin Bainbridge, 19, careered the Nissan Primera into a garden wall on Friday.
Police were chasing the car when it crashed, Chronicle Live reports.
Now, heartbroken friends have paid respects to the young father-of-one.
"RIP Kelvin James Bainbridge. You were always the one to put a smile on my face when days were dark and always the one to light up the atmosphere in a room. You will be loved and missed dearly by so many people," one distraught pal posted online.
Another said: "In absolute shock. Can’t actually believe how short life really is.
"I’ll always remember the crazy nights when we were about 14.
"It was impossible for anyone to be upset near you cause you’d be bouncing around. You’re going to be a massive miss to everyone.
"You will never ever be forgotten. My thoughts are with your family and friends. RIP Kelvin."
One man posted: "Another very good lad taken far, far to early, never know what’s round the corner."
Further emotional messages shared on Facebook expressed sadness.
"Absolutely heartbreaking RIP young man and thoughts go out to his family who will be absolutely devastated," read one post.
"This is so sad he was only 19 ... his poor family now have to try and to come to terms with this (if they ever can)," another said.
The crash happened in Spennymoor, County Durham, and is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which conducts investigations into incidents involving the police.
David Ford, who is Interim Regional Director of IOPC, said: "We understand that shortly after 2.30pm a Durham Constabulary marked police car followed a Nissan Primera.
"After the pursuit the vehicle crashed on Central Drive, Middlestone Moor.
"The 19 year-old man driving the Nissan was fatally injured during the incident.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends and anyone affected by this sad incident."
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash has been asked to contact the IOPC at 0800 096 9076 or email witness@policeconduct.gov.uk.
