A 12-year-old boy is among five people who died when a suspected stolen car crashed into a tree.

Three children were believed to be among the dead after the accident in Stonegate Road in Leeds, West Yorkshire, just before 10pm on Saturday.

Two boys, both aged 15, have been arrested and are in custody, police said.

The youngest victim was a boy aged 12, while the others killed were two 15-year-old males and two men, aged 24 and 28.

Investigators believe all seven were inside the same car - a Renault Clio - when the accident happened, it was reported.

Police at the scene where a stolen car crashed into a tree
Police at the scene where a stolen car crashed into a tree

Shocked neighbours reported hearing a loud bang and eyewitnesses told of seeing more than a dozen police cars and emergency service vehicles in the area following the incident.

One eyewitness told Leeds Live that they also saw officers “searching gardens” near to the scene.

Stonegate Road, in the Meanwood area of Leeds, was immediately shut following the crash and was expected to remain closed for some time while West Yorkshire Police investigate.

A man who lives nearby described hearing a “loud bang” which sounded like a “firecracker”.

He said: “Me and my wife were watching TV some time between 9.30pm and 10pm when we heard a loud bang. I have seen the car ... completely squashed.

“Within minutes, dozens of police cars, a fire engine and several ambulances were at the scene.

“We could hear the sirens and see blue flashing lights and that’s when we realised something very serious had happened.

“The road is completely closed off this morning and the police have said I am not allowed to drive my car out of the area until later in the afternoon so I couldn’t take my wife to work.”

Another resident said: “We were out for a meal last night in Otley and when we arrived home the top of the road was blocked off round the corner from our house.

Police at the scene where a stolen car crashed into a tree
Police at the scene where a stolen car crashed into a tree

“I only heard what has happened this morning after my wife saw the news but it is very upsetting it has happened so close by.

“I don’t know anything more than has been reported but have seen the road is still blocked off so it must have been awful. It is very sad.”

Another said: “Just before 10pm there were loads of flashing lights past our house but I didn’t think anything of it.

“I’ve only realised this morning, I never heard a bang or anything similar.

“I can’t believe it.”

Police initially said on Saturday night that a number of people had suffered serious injuries before confirming on Sunday morning that five people were dead.

The victims’ families have been informed, police said. None of the victims have yet been identified by police.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision last night (Saturday, November 25).

“The incident happened at 9.45pm on Stonegate Road in the Meanwood area of Leeds. A Renault Clio, which had been stolen was in collision with a tree.

“Five males aged 12, 15, 15, 24, 28 from the Leeds area were injured as a result of the incident. Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene and three died a short time later at hospital.

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 November 26.”