Boy Dies After Fight Outside Party

A teenager has died after being hurt in a fight involving around 20 people that erupted outside a house party.

George Verrier, 17, suffered head injuries in the brawl that broke out at around 12.45am yesterday in Southborough Road, Bromley, south-east London, at the junction with Blenheim Road.

He was given first aid by police and said he did not want to be taken to hospital, but hours later at around 9.30am he was found unconscious at a friend's house.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the home in Ferndale, Bromley, and he was taken to hospital but died shortly after 6pm.

George, who was from Bromley, had been to a party at a house in Blenheim Road on Saturday night, hosted by his friend Madison Moran.

Her father Connie told local newspaper the News Shopper: "He was a good friend of hers and she's really distraught by it all.

"He was one of the best boys and he was in the party loving life like a teenager should do. He was one of the quietest and most well-liked boys."

Another 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the teenager's death and is in custody at a police station in south London.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I was very sorry to hear about the poor boy and my heart goes out to his family who have lost their child.

"It looked like a very well-organised party - it was noisy, that's all. The family who had the party are such a nice family."

Another woman who lives nearby said she could hear party music and shouting from her house, one street away.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "There was all sorts of noise coming from the house, spilling out into the street.

"I know these parties happen but you don't expect them to go on quite so long or so loudly. There were girls out running in the road, effing and blinding. I'd be amazed if anybody got a wink of sleep around here that night."

Other neighbours reported hearing "roaring and fighting noises", and seeing revellers being turned away from the party.

Detective Chief Inspector Diane Tudway said:

"Police were called to a disturbance at Southborough Road and the junction with Blenheim Road, Bromley, about 12.45am on Sunday September 1.

"If you were driving along that road you may have driven past that disturbance involving approximately 20 people. A young man was assaulted and he later died of his injuries."

The boy's family has been told and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Anyone with information about what happened can call police on on 0208 721 4005 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.