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.

East Anglian Daily Times: 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.

East Anglian Daily Times: 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." 

East Anglian Daily Times: 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.

East Anglian Daily Times: 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.