A 17-year-old boy has died after a collision involving four motorcycles in Smith’s on Sunday morning.

A 15-year-old pillion passenger is in a critical condition while the rider of another motorcycle sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.

MPs and road-safety advocates have expressed concern and called on the motoring public to take care on the roads.

A police spokesman said: “Around 3.30am, police and other first responders were dispatched to a reported serious road traffic collision, involving four motorcycles, on Verdmont Road, just south of the junction with Verdmont Valley Drive, Smith’s.

“One bike, ridden by a 17-year-old male with a 15-year-old male pillion passenger, was reportedly travelling north on Verdmont Road towards Middle Road when it was involved in a collision with the three other bikes, which were all travelling in a southerly direction.

“The rider and pillion passenger of the bike travelling north sustained life-threatening injuries in the collision. The rider was unresponsive and EMTs began performing life-saving efforts as the two were transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment.

“Unfortunately, the rider succumbed to his injuries a short time later. At last check, the pillion passenger was reported to be in critical condition.

“The male 19-year-old rider of one of the other bikes sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his hand and leg. At last check he was being attended to for his injuries at hospital.

“The other two riders, also males, one 18 years old, the other 19 years old, were not reported to be injured.”

Susan Jackson, the shadow transport minister, said: “The One Bermuda Alliance extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the 17-year-old who lost his life in this morning’s tragic accident.

“While this should be a time for planning a wonderful year ahead, a family have been thrown into devastation.

“It’s heart-wrenching that this terrible accident has happened just days into 2024. We also send best wishes to the remaining teens who were injured in the collision.”

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, also extended condolences to the family of the 17-year-old who died.

He wrote on X: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young man. Please let’s resolve to be more careful on our roads in 2024.”

Shari-Lynn Pringle, project manager for road safety organisation A Piece of the Rock, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young deceased, those injured and to the emergency services personnel who had to attend the scene.

“There is no honour in owning the statistic of the first road fatality victim of any year.

“Sadly, we must go back to the basics to reduce the number of people dying on our roads. Care, caution and courtesy are but buzzwords if just said and not employed with common sense.”

Ms Pringle encouraged motorists, and in particular parents of young motorcyclists, to watch the group’s documentary A Piece of the Rock with the aim of “understanding what is happening on our roads and how we all play a part in making Bermuda’s roads safer”.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Pc Victor Fishington on 717-0836 or e-mail vfishington@bps.bm.

Witnesses may also speak with a police officer they know or call the main police number, 295-0011.

There were 13 road fatalities in 2023.