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A WODONGA teenager has died and another is fighting for his life in a Melbourne hospital after a crash at Staghorn Flat on Saturday night.
The dual-cab ute was travelling towards Yackandandah along Wodonga-Yackandandah Road when it left the road and rolled just after 9pm.
Sixteen-year-old Spencer Michael Botting, the front seat passenger, died at the scene.
One of the back seat passengers, Wodonga’s Drew Turnbull, was put in an induced coma and remains in a critical condition after being flown to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital with serious injuries.
The driver, a 17-year-old from Wodonga, and another teenage boy, who was sitting in the back, were taken to Albury hospital with minor injuries after the crash.
The driver held a NSW licence but was driving a Victorian registered vehicle.
Family members and friends gathered at the crash site yesterday afternoon to pay their respects and leave tributes.
Friends left heartfelt comments on Spencer’s Facebook page, while a tribute page to the Wodonga Senior Secondary student was created.
Three detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit travelled from Melbourne, arriving about 3am.
Detective Senior Constable Matthew Hunt from the investigation unit said it was a tragic loss of life.
“We are looking at speed and alcohol as the cause,” he said.
“The vehicle has lost it around a bend, come out of the shoulder, over-corrected and flipped over.
“It’s rolled over a few times and landed on its roof.”
Nearby neighbour Steve Young said the incident had shocked him.
“My wife heard the bang and a little later I went outside to lock up the dogs and could see the police lights,” he said.
“I thought maybe one of our horses got out onto the road.
“This has come as a shock, especially after finding out how young they were.
“We have had a few bad crashes out here like the triple fatality involving the petrol tanker last year.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
The state’s road death toll stands at 106, compared to 99 last year.
Police are seeking information.