Three children were among five people killed when a stolen car hit a tree leaving a scene of “complete carnage”, police have said.
A 12-year-old, two 15-year-olds, a 24-year-old and a 28-year-old died after the collision on Stonegate Road in the Meanwood area of Leeds on Saturday night, said West Yorkshire Police. Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene and three died a short time later at hospital.
All those who died were male, said officers, who confirmed two more 15-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remain in custody.
The crash, which involved only a Renault Clio, happened at 9.54pm.
The vehicle had been removed from the suburban road by mid-morning on Sunday but a large gash could still be seen on the tree.
Police had cordoned off a quarter mile section of the tree-lined street, which is about three miles north of the city centre and lined by semi-detached houses and grass verges.
A police spokesman said officers were confronted by a scene of “complete carnage” when they arrived at the crash site.
Police at the scene where a stolen car crashed into a tree. (Danny Lawson/PA)
He said that just one vehicle had been involved but it was not yet clear whether the five victims and two suspects had all been in the car.
“Whether they were all in the car or whether some of [the victims] were pedestrians we can’t say at this point in time.
“We’ve got the road closed, an investigation in place and we’re trying to find out what’s occurred.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is clearly a tragic incident in which five young people have lost their lives. We are currently investigating the exact circumstances of what happened.
“I would like to take this opportunity to ask anyone who saw what happened or has information about it to call us on 101 quoting log 1859 of Saturday 26 November.”
People living in streets around the crash scene said all they knew of the incident was hearing a loud bang followed soon afterwards by sirens.