A teenager has died in a car crash, following a police pursuit in Birmingham.
The three boys, who studied fabrication and welding, were on their way to Portadown in County Armagh to take part in a skills competition when their car left the road.
Andrew and Mark were former pupils of Markethill High School.
In a statement, the school’s principal, James Maxwell, said: “The entire school community is deeply saddened by the news, and our thoughts and prayers are with both families at this sad time.
“Both boys were popular, well-mannered and respected members of the school community who demonstrated passion and commitment towards all aspects of school life.
Brian Doran, the chief executive of the Southern Regional College, said staff and students were in shock after hearing of the boys’ deaths.
“It’s an absolute tragedy. We are deeply saddened and our sincere condolences go out to both families and to the third student that survived the accident,” he said.
establish how the crash happened
“It’s a repeat of the tragedy that struck us then,” Mr Doran added.
“It’s something that you cannot get over, we’re all traumatised.”
Police said the victims were the driver of the car and the front seat passenger.
In September, two young students at the same college were killed in a car crash near Rostrevor in County Down.
“I have no doubt in my mind that both boys had great futures ahead of them and they will be remembered with fondness for their great generosity of spirit.”
The 17-year-old boy was in a vehicle which West Midlands Police said failed to stop for officers before smashing into a tree at about 02:00 GMT on Thursday on Grove Lane, Handsworth.
Four other teenagers were inside the vehicle and have been taken to hospital, with one believed to have life-threatening injuries.
West Midlands Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which said pursuing police were in an armed response vehicle, with lights and sirens activated.
The A4040 Church Lane in Handsworth is shut as police investigate the circumstances of the crash.
National Express West Midlands has diverted the 11A, 11C and 101 bus services.
Handsworth Wood councillor Gurdial Singh Atwal said although the facts of the incident remained unknown, the death of the teen was upsetting.
He said: “We don’t know what exactly happened but it is fair to say it is very sad news a young person has died.”
An IOPC spokesperson said the watchdog was advised by West Midlands Police that at about 02:15 GMT “officers in an armed response vehicle attempted to stop a vehicle and activated their lights and sirens, before a brief pursuit began”.
They added: “After being notified by West Midlands Police we began an independent investigation and sent investigators to the collision scene.