A HEREFORDSHIRE teenager died on Tuesday after losing his battle for life at Hereford County Hospital.

Ryan Phillips, from Bishops Frome, was rushed to hospital after the car he was driving collided with a telegraph pole at around 1am last Sunday morning. The 18-year-old died on Tuesday afternoon.

Ryan, who had attended John Masefield High School in Ledbury, was driving a red VW Golf along the B4214 just north of Bishops Frome, when it left the road.

Firefighters from Bromyard used heavy cutting tools to free him from the wreckage before he was rushed to hospital.

"We realised we had to get him out very quickly to let the paramedics do their work," said Neville Turner, from Bromyard Fire and Rescue Service. "The car was intertwined around the post."

Ryan's father, Geoffrey Phillips, has recently retired from the fire service.

A former colleague said: "The family must be absolutely devastated. He was the apple of his dad's eye. To lose a son like that, it's very sad, it's the worst phone call you can get."

All three emergency services attended and the road was closed for five hours to allow Police to investigate.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the red VW Golf travelling on the B4214 prior to the collision to contact them.

Anyone with information should call PC Simon Lantos at Hereford Police Station on 08457 444888.