Man held over triple death crash

The boys joined St Aidan's sixth form from Wetherby School

A 20-year-old man has been arrested after the deaths of three 16-year-olds in a car crash.

Thomas Dunn, Michael Tempest and Oliver Cross, all pupils at St Aidan's School in Harrogate, died on the A58 between Collingham and Wetherby on Friday.

The 17-year-old driver is in a serious but stable condition at York hospital.

Police said a 20-year-old man from Harrogate has been questioned in connection with the collision and freed on bail.

The head teacher of St Aidan's School, Dennis Richards, who led a special assembly with the school chaplain on Monday, said the four boys were "immensely likeable".

Books of condolence have been opened in the school chapel and a counselling service has been set up for fellow students.

The four friends had all left Wetherby School in September to attend the sixth form at St Aidan's.

Although we have known them for a relatively short time their impact on St Aidan's has been immense Dennis Richards, head teacher

Mr Richards said: "The St Aidan's School community is reeling with shock. We are devastated.

"The four lads involved joined us in the sixth form from Wetherby High School in September.

"At least three of them were following in the footsteps of older siblings.

"They had settled well, enjoying life and making a fantastic contribution to the life of our sixth form - in sport, music, academically and socially.

"All were well-behaved, immensely likeable and highly ambitious for the future. At least one was seriously considering medicine.

"Although we have known them for a relatively short time their impact on St Aidan's has been immense.

The three teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with all their close friends both in Harrogate and in Wetherby."

Michael Tempest, known as Tempo, was the son of former footballer and TV betting pundit Dale Tempest, who played for Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Gillingham and Colchester United before moving to Hong Kong where Michael was born.

He was a keen sportsman - playing in goal for Wetherby Athletic under-17s and a member of the Golf Club Juniors - and also played the drums in local band Panic Frenzy.

Police said Oliver Cross, an avid Liverpool FC fan, was a very popular teenager who gained 12 A and A* GCSEs at Wetherby High School before he left to attend St Aidan's.

He had a 20-year-old sister and played tennis at Wetherby Tennis Club for the junior, senior and men's first team. He also played cricket at Wetherby Cricket Club and football at Wetherby Athletic.

Friend 'devastated'

Fellow student Christian Frew, a close friend of Michael Tempest, spoke of his grief after Friday night's accident.

"You can't say how much of a best friend he was," he told BBC Look North.

"We used to tell each other everything and we did everything together. It's devastating and I can't believe it."

Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on Monday.

West Yorkshire Police said a red Ford Escort, driven by the 17-year-old, had collided with a silver Renault.

The driver of the Renault, a 62-year-old woman, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with a broken leg. Her passenger, a 68-year-old man, is not believed to have been injured.

The road was closed following the crash and reopened early on Saturday. Police have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.