TWO teenagers and a nine-year-old boy were killed when their car veered across a busy South Devon road and collided with a hedge and stone wall.

The teenagers, aged 17 and 18, and boy died in the accident on the A379 near Aveton Gifford near Kingsbridge.

The news has left residents in the South Hams communities where they lived and worked shocked and devastated.

It is understood the 17-year-old is from Aveton Gifford, and the 18-year-old and nine-year-old are believed to be from the Kingsbridge area.

They are all understood to have attended the annual Giffstock music festival on Saturday night in Aveton Gifford.

The youngsters, who are not related, are understood to have driven away from the small village back to Kingsbridge in a black three-door Vauxhall Corsa.

On their way back the car left the A379 road on the hill leading down to Aveton Gifford and crossed two on-coming traffic lanes before hitting a wall on the opposite side.

Tyre marks chalked up in yellow by police investigators were visible at the scene.

Dozens of floral tributes were left by the side of the road near where the collision happened.

The fatal crash happened at 11.16pm on Saturday.

A police spokesman said the two teenagers and the young boy had died at the scene.

The 17-year-old is understood to be to be the son of the landlords of the Fisherman's Rest freehouse in Aveton Gifford.

A sign outside the pub said: "Due to tragic circumstances, the pub is closed today."

A family liaison officer was with his parents at the pub.

He said: "They have suffered from the most traumatic event. They are understandably traumatised by the loss of their son. They need time to grieve."

Three fire appliances from Modbury, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge as well as ambulances from the surrounding towns attended the crash.

Senior investigating officer Sgt Stephen Walker said: "This is at an early stage. We are still investigating the collision. We're keeping an open mind and are looking at whether alcohol or speed were involved as well as whether the car suffered a mechanical failure."

Robert Ford, organiser of the Giffstock music festival, said: "The event was going well. Towards the end we heard rumours that an accident had happened. But it was only on Sunday morning we found out about it.

"We don't really know what happened but the news has been quite a shock. Everyone in the village is devastated."

Resident Margaret Brett added: "No one should die that young. They had their whole lives ahead of them. It's such a tragedy."

Fellow resident Peter Burns added: "It's dreadful. There's a lot of conjecture about what happened.

"We know the lads attended the festival. It was a very happy event. Why they went to Kingsbridge and came back we don't know.

"We all feel for the parents and the other people. Everyone in the village is quite distressed."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "They are a lovely family with lovely children. We're all devastated."

Bouquets left by the side of the road where the crash happened paid tribute to the three youngsters.

One of the messages of condolences said: "We will miss you. Rest in peace. The Ezra's Luisa and Becky."

Another message said: "We will always remember you. Rob."

A resident posted a message on the Herald Express website saying: "An absolute tragedy after what had been a brilliant day at our village music festival.

"We have a wonderfully close knit community here in Aveton Gifford and the deaths of these three kids will be deeply felt by all of us.

"They brought happiness to those who knew them and were growing up into fine young men."

Another email read: "Rest in peace lads. We'll all miss you. Nick."

The family of one of the two other youngsters is understood to live in East Prawle, South Hams.

The news of the fatal crash was announced to punters in the village's Pig's Nose pub on Saturday night.

The pub was then closed and a sign was put up outside. It read: "Sad loss. Jamie, Noah, Tom. Three special boys."

One of the patrons enjoying a drink in the pub at the time said: "We were left stunned after the pub's DJ stopped the music to make the announcement the crash had happened and the pub would have to close immediately.

"The DJ said there had been a serious accident. People filed out on to the village green, as the impact of the announcement sunk in."

One of the people who died is understood to have worked as a chef at the pub famous for its New Year's Eve parties.

The landlord was too distraught to say anything.

An impromptu minute's silence was held at Kingsbridge Quay yesterday by youngsters attending an event.

Sgt Walker added: "We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the dark Corsa between Aveton Gifford and Bantham Cross roundabout just after 11pm on Saturday night to contact us on 08452 777 444, quoting log number 1372 040709."