The case for a crash barrier on the road is to be looked at

Josh Bartlett, Marshall Haynes and Liam Hastings, all 13, were killed when the Citroen they were in crashed.

The car crossed the central reservation of the A4142 near Oxford and collided with 21-year-old Howard Hillsdon's car.

Council transport bosses say they will "look again at the case for providing a barrier" following Saturday's deaths.

The cause of the crash that killed the three boys is still unknown

Police carried out tests on the cars during Tuesday and said they were keeping an "open mind" on how the accident happened.

Richard Dix, the county council's acting head of transport, said: "When this section of road was built in the 1960s the required standards did not include providing a central barrier and there has not been a strong case for providing one up until now.

"The tragic accident on 28 May is the first case of a fatal accident on this length of road involving a vehicle crossing the central reserve since our accident records began in 1979.

"But in the light of this incident we will of course look again at the case for providing a barrier.

"Before making any decision we need to know more about the causes of this accident and give careful consideration to the full road layout to ensure that if safety improvements are made, they are as effective as possible."

As with any serious collision we will look at all the possible contributory factors Insp Steve Bridges

The three youngsters killed were among seven in the car being driven by the mother of a boy, who was celebrating his birthday.

The remaining four teenage friends and the mother, aged 45, are still in a critical condition in hospital.

Police said the woman appeared to have lost control of the vehicle, crossed the central reservation and collided with an oncoming car which lead to a pile-up involving several vehicles.

Insp Steve Bridges, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We have been carrying out detailed examinations of the cars involved.

"We are still taking witness statements and are responding to the calls we have had as a result of appeals we have made.

"We are still keeping an open mind regarding the cause of the crash.

"As with any serious collision we will look at all the possible contributory factors which include the road, the vehicles, the conditions and the events leading up to the crash."