A COLLEGE was in mourning today after a teenager died in a road smash just days after two fellow students were killed in a head-on collision.

Christopher Woodward, 19, was driving a 16-valve Renault Clio along Whitebirk Drive, Blackburn, towards Brownhill, at about 8pm on Saturday, when police believe he lost control of the car on a left-hand bend close to Philips Road.

The car left the road, hit a lamppost and burst into flames.

Christopher, of Preston New Road, suffered extensive injuries including burns so horrific that he had to be identified by his dental records.

Fellow students Joseph Slupski and Gareth Edwards died on the notorious Grane Road on Thursday morning. The two Bolton students were travelling to Blackburn College when police believe Gareth, 19, lost control of his Vauxhall Astra and collided with an HGV from Clitheroe Conservatory firm Ultraframe.

Their car was crushed by the impact and burst into flames and both Gareth and his 17-year-old pal Joseph died instantly.

The teenagers also had to be identified by dental records and dozens of floral tributes have been placed at the scene of the crash on the treacherous hilltop route.

The incident support unit from Accrington Fire Station attended the scene of the latest accident as firefighters had to use cutting gear to remove the teenager's body from the burnt wreckage of the car. Whitebirk Drive was closed for about three hours as police accident investigators studied the scene.

Police said Christopher's family were absolutely devastated by the tragedy.

Christopher was known as "Woody" to his friends, some of whom have left floral tributes at the scene of the accident.

Christopher was a fourth year student on a vehicle refinishing course, while Joseph was an apprentice mechanic, and Gareth was on a HND course in sports studies.

Blackburn College principal Sheena Ewing said: "Everyone at the college is devastated by these tragedies."

This latest smash takes the death toll on East Lancashire roads to four - all teenage men - in just three tragic days.

Early on Saturday morning 15-year-old Matthew Gale, of Wigan, died in an accident on New Road, Chorley.

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