Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Boys held as 5 die in stolen car crash THE SCENE
‘Complete carnage’ as car hits tree
TWO boys of 15 have been arrested after five people, including three children, were killed when a stolen car ploughed into a tree.
Police yesterday described the scene as “complete carnage” and witnesses said the smash was so horrific they saw “bodies laid about” and the car reduced to an unrecognisable “lump of metal”.
Ellis Thornton, 12, and brother Elliott, 15, died alongside another 15-year-old, named locally as Darnell Harte. Also killed were Anthoney Armour, 28, and Robbie Meerun, 24. Mr Armour was a father-of-two whose partner is expecting another child in three weeks.
Two of the victims died at the scene of the impact in Leeds, at around 9.45pm on Saturday night. The other three died in hospital.
The two 15-year-olds were held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and were in custody last night.
The circumstances surrounding how the seven people are linked to the smash remained unclear. A police spokesman confirmed just one vehicle, a Renault Clio, was involved but it was not yet known whether the five victims and the two suspects had all been in it. He added: “Whether they were all in the car or some of [the victims] were pedestrians, we can’t say at this point.”
One local said there was “simply nothing left” of the car. The wreck had been removed by yesterday morning and a huge gash was visible on the tree trunk.
A distraught woman tried to break through the police cordon and was led away by officers, who she told: “I lost my son in the crash last night.”
A couple who live opposite the scene described seeing the mangled wreck.
They said: “We heard an almighty crash. There were bodies laid about, it was awful. You couldn’t even recognise it as a car. It was just a crumpled mess.”
Another local said: “Police and ambulance were all over and it looked an awful mess. I think police were searching gardens for some people who had been in the car, though I don’t how anybody could have survived that crash.”
One resident said her husband saw the carnage, describing the motor as “a lump of metal not recognisable as a car”.
And another local added: “This road is a nightmare because of the way people drive. I don’t feel safe walking my dog.”
The family of Ellis and Elliott, also known by their father’s name Kimmitt, paid heartbreaking tribute to them. Sister Ebony, 16, posted: “I don’t really know what to say, my eyes are puffy every time I go to speak I cry, my head and my body is full of pain. Yous were my boys!!! My world and more.
“How can you too be gone like a flick of a switch!! I will never forget you, I love you so much Ellis and Elliott.”
Godmother Louise Thornton, 34, described the pair as “cheeky chappies”, adding: “We are just devastated. We can’t believe they have both gone. It will leave a huge, devastating void.”
Floral tributes to Darnell were laid opposite the scene. One read: “Darnell (gone too soon). It just doesn’t make sense. Hope now you’re at some peace.”
Police have cordoned off a quartermile section of the street, three miles north of Leeds city centre. Detective Chief Inspector Jim Griffiths said: “This is clearly a tragic incident. We are investigating the exact circumstances.”
■ James Bates, 24, was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving after four people were hurt as a car hit the Grade Ii-listed Cinque Ports Arms in New Romney, Kent, on Friday. He faces Medway magistrates today.