Four people were killed when their car crashed into a tree, police have said.
The accident happened at around 2.10am on Sunday morning on the A540, Chester High Road, at Neston in Cheshire.
The victims, all thought to be in their 20s and from the local area, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Fire crews were worked through the night to release three bodies from the wreckage of the car.
The fourth victim was thrown from the vehicle on impact, Cheshire Police said.
The car was travelling north towards Wirral, Merseyside, when the crash happened close to the junction with The Runnel.
A police spokeswoman said: "Investigations are on-going. We are working to identify the victims and inform next-of-kin."
Anyone who witnessed the crash should call Cheshire Police's traffic unit on 0845 458 000.
