An 18-year-old died and a 17-year-old is fighting for his life after a motorcycle crashed in Mottingham

The incident in Mottingham Road, near its junction with William Barefoot Drive, happened just after 4.30pm yesterday (August 24).

It is thought the teens crashed into the central reservation, which has a mounted speed camera, before flying 10ft over the handlebars and landing in the middle of the road.

Emergency services rushed to the scene but despite the best efforts of paramedics the 18-year-old died.

He is believed to have been the pillion passenger on the motorcycle.

His family laid flowers at the scene today (August 25), with a note reading: “To my loving son, I'm lost for words.

“Love you lots from your mum, nan and your brother, sister. RIP.”

The driver, a 17-year-old, was treated for multiple injuries and rushed to St George’s Major Trauma Centre as a priority.

His condition is described as serious but stable.

Neighbours described hearing an almighty crash before rushing outside to help.

MORE TOP STORIES Mottingham Road resident Shirley Copeland, 71, said: “I heard a big bang and people were crowding around.

“I could hear the boy crying out in pain, he was going ‘oh oh oh’.

“A lot of people were helping by directing the traffic.

“Everyone mucked in for those boys.”

Mrs Copeland, who’s lived there for more than 50 years, added: “It’s summer holidays so we’ve heard bikes for the last couple of weeks.

“They’ve been going up and down here inbetween the traffic.

“They weren’t wearing helmets.

“This is the worst accident we’ve had.

“Someone was there about 9.30pm washing the blood off the road.”

The street was cordoned off between Dunkery Road and Chapel Farm Road, where the shattered bike and a tent could be seen.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “We heard a big bang, a massive crash. It shook the windows “We saw this mangled wreckage across the road.

“My wife ran across with some blankets.”

The 71-year-old added: “I heard they weren’t wearing helmets.

“The bodies were roughly 10ft forward, they were lying there in the middle of the road.

“Apparently it hit the central reservation; they knocked the left bollard flat and hit the black post as well.

“The front wheel was lying there, the bike was destroyed.”

A reader commented online: “When I arrived at the accident the rider was trying to get up, the passenger was in a swimming pool of blood not moving or making noise.

“He was dead on impact.

“A off duty paramedic battled to save him until paramedics arrived but he had no chance I knew he was dead from the moment I got to the accident.”

Friends also paid tribute on social media, with Patsy Mason posting on twitter: “Mad to think someone I went to primary school with died in the accident on Mottingham Road yesterday.

“Rest in peace.”

Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating. Anyone with information should call 02082851574.

Did you see what happened or would like to leave a tribute? Get in touch on Rebecca.Flood@london.newsquest.co.uk