Leeds crash: Three children among five killed as stolen car smashes into tree

Three children were among five people killed when a stolen car crashed into a tree in Leeds.

A 12-year-old, two 15-year-olds, a 24-year-old and a 28-year-old died after the collision in the Meanwood area of Leeds on Saturday night, police said.

Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene and three died a short time later at hospital.

Three of the victims have been named locally as brothers Ellis and Elliott Thornton and Darnell Harte, who is thought to be 15.

Two 15-year-old boys are in custody after the collision, which happened in Stonegate Road shortly before 10pm.

Leeds: West Yorkshire Police said five people were killed, including three children
PA

One man who lives close to the crash site said: "It was unbelievable. You couldn't even recognise it as a car. It was just a crumpled mess."

The vehicle, a Renault Clio, was removed from the suburban road by mid-morning on Sunday but a large gash could still be seen on the tree.

Fatal crash: A forensic officer at the scene
PA

Police cordoned off a quarter-mile section of the street, which is about three miles north of the city centre and lined by semi-detached houses and grass verges.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said officers were confronted by a scene of "complete carnage" when they arrived at the crash site.

Police near the scene where a stolen car crashed into a tree in Stonegate Road, Leeds
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.

He added: "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."

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