Boy, 16, dies after crash near West Midland Safari Park

The boy, named locally as Lewis Chambers, was pronounced dead in the early hours of Monday morning.

Officers were called shortly before 6pm yesterday to reports of a collision between a pedestrian and a blue Citroen Xsara on Spring Grove, in Bewdley.

The vehicle was travelling towards Kidderminster on the A456 when the collision occurred.

He was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries where he later passed away.

Tributes have been paid to him on Facebook.

Carol Thompson, aged 61, a superviser at The Academy in Kidderminster where Lewis attended, said: "He was a lovely lad who was very genuine and well-liked.

"He studied Animal Care.

"My daughter worked alongside him at the Safari Park too where he worked part-time.

"We are all incredibly upset and in shock still. He will be greatly missed by everyone."

Police Sergeant Steve Hastie said: "Our thoughts go out to the family at this time and a full investigation will be undertaken to establish the full facts leading to this collision."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Murray MacGregor said: "After treatment at the scene he was initially taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. A doctor from the Midlands Air Ambulance rendezvoused with the crew en-route.

"After further treatment at hospital, he was transferred to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the MERIT trauma doctor travelling with the crew.

"On arrival his condition was 'critical'."

If you witnessed the collision or have any information please call police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting incident reference number 521s of December 20.