A 13-year-old boy who drove a car died when he crashed into two other vehicles in Barnet, north London.

Schoolboy Anthony Cheetham of Stockport, Cheshire, was alone in a family Ford Fiesta when he drove southwards along the A1 in the early hours of Monday morning.

At 2.10am he collided with a silver VW at the junction of Great North Road and Holders Hill Road. His blue car flew through the air and landed on the bonnet of a black Cherokee Jeep.

A resident who witnessed the crash, and would only identify himself as Daniel, said: "It was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life.

"It was really gruesome and there was blood everywhere. It was absolutely horrific.

"The impact was incredible. He was flung out of the car."

He added: "The passengers of the Jeep are lucky to be alive. If it was a smaller car I doubt they would have survived."

Anthony, who would have turned 14 later this month, died shortly after being rushed to Barnet General Hospital.

His family said in a statement he was "a much loved brother, son and nephew who had a real zest for life".

The 27-year-old man driving the VW suffered minor injuries, and the family of three in the Jeep escaped uninjured.

The A1 was blocked through the morning while the cars and debris were cleared. Hundreds of motorists were caught in traffic jams as both sides of the A1 were closed between Fiveways corner and Finchley Lane.

Nearby Junction 2 of the M1 was also blocked with motorists diverted towards Brent Cross.

Anthony's family did not comment on the circumstances of the accident, as it were "currently investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service", they said.

Officers urged witnesses to call the Collision Investigation Unit at Alperton Traffic Garage on 020 8998 5319.

  • Additional reporting by Louisa Barnet