Three dead and one critical after horror car crash

THREE young men died and another was fighting for his life today after a car crash near a London retail park.

Five men, all believed to be in their early twenties, were in the car when the accident happened near Staples Corner in northwest London shortly before 11.30pm yesterday.

It is not believed that any other vehicle was involved and a fifth man suffered non-life threatening injuries in what police described as a “terrible accident”.

Inspector William Mcdonald, one of the officers responsible for policing Barnet, said: “Emergency services responded last night to what seems to have been a terrible accident.

“An urgent police investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances. Officers are in the process of informing the families of the five young people. The families will be supported by specialist officers. I send them my sincere condolences. Road closures remain in place at the scene.”

The air ambulance and fire crews with specialist cutting equipment to free victims from the wreckage were to sent to the scene.

A Met Police statement added: “It is not believed that any other vehicle was involved in the incident.

“Officers attended the location along with London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.

“They found five people, all believed to be men aged in their early twenties. Sadly three people were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were taken to hospital, one is in a critical condition while the other person’s condition has been assessed as not life-threatening.”