A MAN described the crash which killed a Brighouse father and daughter as “horrendous”.

Frank Knight told how he watched emergency crews battling in vain to save them during a four-hour rescue operation on Wednesday evening.

The 62-year-old lives nearby and believes the speed limit on Birkby Lane, Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse, is too high and confusing.

The retired teacher was on the scene of the tragic crash minutes after it happened.

The father and daughter have not yet been named.

Family and friends were told of their untimely deaths yesterday and the case is being referred to the coroner.

Mr Knight said: “It was an horrendous sight, it really was.

“I just feel so much for the people in that car.

“I could tell they were doing everything possible to save them but they couldn’t.

“You just have to feel for the family and hope they know that everything that could have been done was done.”

The 37-year-old father was driving a VW Golf with his daughter, aged 15, as a passenger when they were in a head-on collision with a Peugeot car and a delivery van.

The two were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The speed limit for part of Birkby Lane is 60mph, with national speed limit signs running along both sides of the road.

Further along, where it merges with Halifax Road into Kirklees, the speed limit is 40mph then 30mph and covered by speed cameras.

But Mr Knight says many motorists drive excessively fast along the rural section and don’t slow down.

He added: “The problem here is the speed of that road. I often see people doing what looks like 70 maybe even 80 miles per hour.

“Drivers are just going too quick, like they drive on a motorway.

“I don’t know if anyone else has complained, but now this has happened I wished I’d have complained sooner. It shouldn’t have taken this.”

Clr Colin Stout, who is a member of the Brighouse Road Safety Committee, said: “For a father and daughter to lose their lives in this way is a terrible tragedy.

“Twenty years ago, three people were killed when a wagon came down the lane and took out the shop at the bottom.

“Now we have the issue of speed to comprehend. It has been raised as an issue several times before.

“We will wait for the police report to see what the implications are and to see what we can do to help.”

Kate Marsh, from the Calderdale Road Safety Unit, said: “This is a terrible tragedy and our sincere condolences go out to the family of those involved.

“A full investigation is currently under way by police.”

Road traffic police are appealing for information about the collision.

They are asking anyone with information to contact them on 01422 337024.