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Three children among five killed as stolen car crashes in Leeds

Two 15-year-old boys arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving

Samuel Osborne
Sunday 26 November 2017 09:38 GMT
Two men and three children killed as stolen car crashes into tree in Leeds

Three children are among five people killed after a stolen car crashed into a tree in Leeds, leaving a scene of "complete carnage".

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 on Saturday night, West Yorkshire Police said.

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

Two 15-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remain in custody, West Yorkshire Police said.

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.

He told the Press Association 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."

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