A teenage boy has died in a crash near Newcastle in NSW.
Police were called to Lemon Tree Passage Rd, Salt Ash about 10.45pm on Friday to find a white Ford Falcon had veered off the road and crashed into a tree.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: One teen dead, three others injured, in serious crash in NSW
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Inside the car were five teenagers, four boys and one girl, aged 14 to 17.
A 16-year-old boy died on the way to hospital, police said.
Three other teens, one aged 14 and two aged 17, were taken to John Hunter Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver, a 17-year-old boy, underwent a roadside breath test and allegedly retuned a positive reading.
He was taken to hospital for mandatory testing. Inspector Fatih Samsa confirmed the driver was a learner.
Samsa said it was too early to say if speed was a factor or what relationship the teenagers had to each other.
With school holidays officially starting in the state on Saturday, Samsa said parents needed to sit down with their children and stress the importance of road safety.
“Being the start of school holidays, we’re obviously gonna have more road users on the road, especially novice, young drivers,” he said.
“I’d recommend all young road users take care on the roads and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
“A family has received some of the worst news they can possibly receive. I would recommend families talk to their children or their young people in the family about safe driving, road safety.”
Samsa said the stretch of road where the accident occurred was not known for being dangerous.
He could not confirm whether the 17-year-old driver would face any charges.
Investigations continue.
Anyone with any information or relevant dashcam footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.