A father spoke of his devastation today after his 18-year-old son died in a car crash on his way back from a Christmas night out with friends.

Paul O'Connor, of Tisma Drive, Bierley, was killed when a Ford Escort in which he was travelling plunged 15ft down a banking last night near the Kings Arms pub at Westgate Hill, Bradford.

Paul, a front seat passenger in the car, died and a rear-seat passenger, also 18, and from Leeds, suffered head injuries and a broken arm in the accident at 6.30pm last night.

The driver, also 18 and from Leeds, was arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

Paul's father Peter O'Connor said the family was devastated and described his son as a fun-loving youngster.

Mr O'Connor said: "We are all just devastated. Paul was just a normal and fun loving lad.

"Last year my wife Sandra lost her father near Christmas. So it just another tragedy. What can we do?"

Mr O'Connor, who also has a daughter 19-year-old daughter Joanne, said his son had a passion for horses.

Paul worked for Re Pave, a paving company, in Birkenshaw, since he left Tong Upper School in 1996.

Mr O'Connor said: "We heard from one of Paul's friends that there had been an accident. We phoned the hospital and they would not tell us anything.

"Nothing can describe the feeling when a policeman knocks on your door and has to explain that your son has died."

Station Officer Frank Hutchinson, from Odsal fire station said: "They must have lost control of the car and it has come off the road, gone through some trees and crashed down the embankment.

"It looks like the car has spun round in the air and landed in the opposite direction.

"The front seat passenger was very badly injured and only had a weak pulse when we put him in the ambulance. The car was completely crushed at the side where he was sitting and it looks like he took the brunt of the crash."

The road was closed for more than two hours.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Odsal police on Bradford 376859.

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