Five killed as stolen car hits tree

Image captionThe crash happened on Stonegate Road in the Meanwood area of Leeds

Five people, including three children, have been killed after a stolen car crashed into a tree in Leeds.

The youngest victim in the crash was a 12-year-old boy, West Yorkshire Police said. Two 15-year-old boys and two men aged 24 and 28 also died.

Officers were called to Stonegate Road in the Meanwood area of the city at 21:54 GMT on Saturday.

Two 15-year-old boys are being held in custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

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

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and three died a short time later at hospital, the force added.

Their families have been informed.

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionPolice said a stolen Renault Clio crashed into a tree

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionThe major collision inquiry team is investigating

Det Ch Insp Jim Griffiths said: "This is clearly a tragic incident in which five young people have lost their lives."

Earlier police said they were working on the assumption all seven were in the same vehicle - a Renault Clio.

However, the force has since said that is not yet known and some of those involved in the crash may have been pedestrians.

Image copyrightPA

Image captionStonegate road remains closed

The road remains closed and the force's major collision inquiry team is investigating what happened.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police.