A 16-year-old boy has died and another teenager is in a critical condition following a crash in Somerset, with police believing their electric motorbike collided with a car. The incident happened in East Reach, Taunton, at around 10.20pm on Thursday, and the electric motorbike was missing when officers arrived at the scene.
Teen pronounced dead at the scene
Paramedics attended the incident, and the 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The second teenager was taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he remains in a critical condition.
Avon and Somerset Police believe the two boys were riding the electric motorbike, which hit a car that had stopped at traffic lights at the junction with Haydon Road. The force has confirmed that the family of the boy who died have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers.
Police appeal for missing bike
East Reach was closed for several hours while the crash scene was examined. The road was reopened at about 7.30am on Friday. Police are appealing for anyone with information about the collision, and are particularly keen to locate the electric motorbike, which has gone missing.
In a statement, the force said: "Enquiries to locate the vehicle the pair were riding are ongoing. East Reach was closed for several hours as a result of the collision, but was reopened at about 7.30am this morning."
"We would ask anyone with information about the collision or the suspected electric motorbike involved to please contact us on 101 or online quoting reference number 5226281802."
Investigation underway
The force added: "A police investigation is underway following a fatal collision in Taunton last night (Thursday 1 October). One person has died and a second is in hospital with serious injuries as a result of a two-vehicle collision in East Reach at about 10.20pm."
"Emergency services were called to scene following a collision between a car and a second vehicle, which we believe to be an electric motorcycle but was not at the scene when officers arrived."
"We understand two teenage boys were riding that vehicle when it collided with a car whose driver had stopped at the traffic lights near the junction with Haydon Road."
"One of the boys was taken to hospital by air ambulance where they remain in a critical condition. The second boy, aged 16, died at the scene and we believe he was most likely the pillion passenger."
"His family have been notified and they will be supported by a specially-trained officer going forward. Our thoughts are with the boy’s family at this incredibly sad and difficult time."
