A TEENAGE boy suffered devastating injuries when he was thrown from a car in a horror crash after the driver — his close friend — lost control, a court heard.

Jack James Butterworth crashed as he was driving over the moors from Rivington towards Belmont.

His passenger, 16-year-old, Charlie Potter, whom he thought of as a brother, was thrown through the windscreen as the car spun through the air.

He ended up underneath the Citroen C2, Blackburn Magistrates Court heard.

Charlie was declared dead at the scene but was revived - and he then spent months in intensive care.

Now, more than six months after the accident on January 16, he is still unable to walk, talk or react to things, the court was told.

Neither Charlie nor Butterworth, aged 19, were wearing seatbelts.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said: “It will be a long recovery if he recovers at all. This incident has had serious consequences for another individual.”

Butterworth, of Hazlemere, Kearsley, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and with insufficient tread on one tyre.

He has tried to visit his friend since the accident — but Charlie’s family do not want him to see him.

Miss Allan told the court Butterworth was driving his mum’s car towards Belmont at about 11pm on a road with many bends.

He lost control and the car took off before landing on its roof in a field.

Butterworth ran to get help and returned with people who lifted the car off Charlie.

Miss Allan said an accident investigator had concluded the deficient tyre did not contribute to the accident.

It was also accepted that Butterworth had not been breaking the speed limit.

Michelle Brown, defending, said the case provided a salutary lesson about the need for proper care when driving and the need for wearing seat belts.

She added: “He says they were like brothers and he has been devastated by what has happened. The court has to impose punishment but he is already being punished. He is aware of the injuries to his friend and that the prognosis of a recovery is uncertain. He will have to live with that for the rest of his life.”

Miss Brown said there was no suggestion of alcohol, inappropriate overtaking or racing. She added the incident had an enormous impact on her client.

He had not worked since the crash and was still under the care of his doctor having been signed off for depression and anxiety.

Miss Brown said: “His first concern was for his friend and he tried to visit him and send a card but his friend’s family had not wanted that.”

Butterworth was fined £110 with £110 costs and his licence endorsed with eight penalty points.