Family and school teachers have paid emotional tribute to a teenager who was killed in a car crash on a rural road in mid-west New South Wales.  

Stirling Heriot, 17, was driving through Quambone when his vehicle veered off the road and rolled at about 6.45pm on Friday.

Police officers were unable to revive Heriot, the only occupant of the car, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Robbie Williams, who was once Heriot’s housemaster at his dormitory, mentioned that he formed a unique connection with the student over the course of four years in his position.

Williams said Heriot was a “kind, caring and empathetic young man”.

“What I always loved about Stirling is that he is honest as the day is long and the big fella didn’t have a mean bone in his body,” he wrote.

“I’ve never encountered a young man as eager to put in effort as Stirling. He was always ready to showcase his talents in pursuits he was passionate about!

“A young man who would have made a real difference in our community and who has been taken far too soon.”

Police have launched an investigation into the crash and a report is being prepared for the coroner.