Two separate crashes that took place on rural roads within the space of two days have tragically claimed the lives of a pair of teenage boys. 

Officers from Suffolk police were called to assist the ambulance service at about 10.25pm on Friday, February 2, after a silver Ford Fiesta left the road and crashed into a tree in Summer Road in Hepworth, near Stanton.

The 18-year-old driver of the Fiesta was taken directly to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with life-threatening injuries.

Sudbury Mercury: Summer Road, HepworthSummer Road, Hepworth (Image: Google maps)

On Thursday, Suffolk police confirmed he has since died.

The following day, and less than 30 miles away, emergency services were called to a crash involving a Ford Fiesta, in Sudbury Road, between Sudbury and Bulmer in Essex, at about 11.15pm.

The driver, who has been named as Sam Parsons, died at the scene.

Sudbury Mercury: Sam Parsons, who has been named as the 17-year-old who died in the crash on SaturdaySam Parsons, who has been named as the 17-year-old who died in the crash on Saturday (Image: Cornard United FC)

Emotional tributes have been paid to Sam since his death, including a minute's silence held at a home game between Cornard United FC, where he played for the under-18s, and Whitton United. 

Tom Clark, chairman of Cornard United, said: "It is a complete shock. Sam was part of our under-18s team so with the age of all the lads it has come as quite a bit of a shock to them.

"His dad Jem managed the team as well and they have both been involved in the team for a long, long time. 

"Obviously it is awful news that nobody ever wants to hear. It is heart-breaking." 

Sudbury Mercury: A minute's silence was held in memory of Sam ParsonsA minute's silence was held in memory of Sam Parsons (Image: D&A Photography)

Mr Clark said Sam, whom he described as a 'stalwart' member of the team, had passed his driving test "relatively recently". 

"I knew him from a chairman point of view as a well-disciplined player, he was good to watch, he was a lovely lad and well-respected," he said.

Sudbury Mercury: Sam Parsons' teammates at the minute's silenceSam Parsons' teammates at the minute's silence (Image: D&A Photography)

Officers are appealing for any witnesses to the Hepworth crash and are asking any motorists driving in the area at the time of the incident with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle to check the footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit and quote reference number 37/6325/24.