ONE teenager died and his cousin was left fighting for his life in hospital after a car crash.

James Mark Dewhurst, 16, of Fir Trees Barn, Rimington, died when the Peugeot 205 being driven by his cousin, Samuel Lund, 19, crashed.

Police say Samuel was driving along Rimington Lane, near Gisburn, towards the A682 when the car left the road at about 8.15pm on Saturday.

The vehicle then hit a tree and turned over.

It was on its side when emergency crews arrived at the scene, and James was trapped in the badly-damaged car.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, and Samuel, who suffered serious injuries, was taken to Burnley General Hospital, before being transferred to the intensive care unit at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. His family are said to be by his side, and his injuries are critical.

Sergeant Keith Jackson, of Lancashire police, said the two families paid tribute to the boys, and said: "They did everything together, and were more like brothers than cousins."

The road was closed for about four hours on Saturday for the accident investigation, and officers believe the smash did not involve any other vehicles.

Inspector Simon Hayes said: "A Peugeot 205 was being driven along Rimington Lane, Gisburn, when it left the road and collided with a tree and turned over.

"The driver, who was a 19-year-old male, was severely injured and has been taken to the intensive care unit at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

"The passenger, who was a 16-year-old male, was pronounced deceased by the paramedics at the scene.

"We are obviously investigating the cause of that accident, but it does not appear at this time that any other vehicles were involved."