A teenager who died in a car crash on Sydney's Northern Beaches has been identified as five others remain in hospital.

16-year-old Cohen Griggs-Bufton was killed after the ute he was in slammed into a tree in Bayview at 12.20am.

Officers found six injured boys when they arrived at Cabbage Tree Road.

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Four of the boys, aged 17 and 16, were sitting in the back seat of the car when it collided with the tree, NSW Police confirmed.

Griggs-Bufton was sitting in the passenger seat.

"The 17-year-old red P-plate driver was airlifted to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital," NSW Police said in a statement.

A second passenger was airlifted to hospital and four others were taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital by paramedics.

The teens injuries range from minor to severe, with police now investigating if drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident. 

The crash investigation unit is making inquiries.