Boy, 16, dies after car hits railings on Shaftmoor Lane

A 16-year-old boy has died after the car he was travelling in crashed into railings in Birmingham on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to Shaftmoor Lane at about 8.30pm on Saturday 17 October after a crash involving a white Seat Ibiza, which is understood to have hit railings.

Pronounced dead at the scene

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the 16-year-old, who was in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger, also a teenage boy, was taken to hospital with a serious arm injury.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, and of failing to provide a breath specimen.

Investigation

Specialist officers from the police serious collision investigation unit are speaking to witnesses and want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time, or who has dashcam footage.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, through Live Chat on the force's website, or by email to the serious collision investigation unit, quoting log 4403 of 17 October.

Shaftmoor Lane

Shaftmoor Lane is a residential road in the Hall Green area in the south of the city. Police have not yet said what caused the car to leave the road, and are asking anyone who saw it beforehand to come forward.

About the offences

Causing death by dangerous driving is one of the most serious driving offences, and since 2022 it has carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Dangerous driving means driving that falls far below the standard of a careful and competent driver, in a way that would be obvious to such a driver as dangerous.

Failing to provide a specimen for analysis without a reasonable excuse is a separate offence, and in cases involving a death can bring a long prison sentence and a lengthy ban.

The man has been arrested, not charged, and anyone arrested is presumed innocent unless proved guilty.

Support

The death of a teenager in a road crash has a deep effect on families, friends and schools. Specialist family liaison officers support the families of people killed on the roads, and the charity Brake runs a national helpline for people bereaved or seriously injured in crashes on 0808 8000 401.

Young people affected by the loss of a friend can talk to their school or college, or contact Childline free on 0800 1111 at any time. Officers have asked people not to speculate on social media about what happened while the investigation continues.