Police officers are trying to determine how three children and two adults died in a car crash in Leeds that has left the community shaken.

Residents living close to where a stolen Renault Clio hit a tree in the Meanwood area of the city have described a nightmarish scene in which the vehicle was reduced to a crumpled mess of metal.



A vigil was held at the scene late on Sunday night for the five people who died, now named locally as brothers Ellis and Elliott Thornton, aged 12 and 15; Darnell Harte, 15; Anthony Armour, 28; and Robbie Meerun, 24.

Questions remain over whether the dead and injured had been in the car or walking along the street at the time of the crash on Saturday night.

One man who lives close to the site told reporters: “It was unbelievable. You couldn’t even recognise it as a car. It was just a crumpled mess.”

Police confirmed two 15-year-olds had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remained in custody. One of them is understood to have been taken to hospital with serious injuries.



On Sunday, one of the mothers of the deceased visited the scene, where floral tributes to those who died had been laid.

One tribute read: “Darnell (gone too soon). It just doesn’t make sense. Hope now you’re at some peace. Will remember you for your cheekiness.”

A police spokesman said 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,” he said.

DCI 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.”

• This article was amended on 29 November 2017 to correct the spelling of Anthony Armour.

