Alnwick mum's heartbreak plea after son dies

Jul 6 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

THE family of a North East teenager killed in a car crash have pleaded with young drivers to take more care on country roads.

Peter Pringle, 17, of Alnwick, Northumberland, died after his car hit a tree on a minor road near the town on Friday afternoon. He had been driving home from work at A&J Scott’s Sawmill at Wooperton at around 5.20pm, having been told that day he was being laid off due to lack of trade.

He had only passed his driving test six weeks ago, buying his car two weeks before and doing it up.

Peter’s death comes just a month after his close friend Sam Gattens, also 17, of Alnwick, died after his car hit a tree in similar circumstances just a few miles away.

Last night, Peter’s family said it appeared he had lost control of the Vauxhall Corsa on Lemmington Bank, which links the A697 with the B6341.

The road has a dip in it, and had been wet following the afternoon rain.

His family have urged young drivers to take more care in the countryside and have also called for speed limit signs to be put up on such roads.

Asked if she had a message for young drivers, Peter’s mother Gillian Dodds, 37, of Cedar Grove, said: “Just take care, just to be careful on country roads because they are all dips. Even the sides of the roads as well.

“They are dangerous roads. They think they are playing on the PlayStation when they are on them.”