Police have confirmed that two men, aged 18 and 19, have died following a devastating high-speed crash on the A13 in east London.
Yesterday, emergency services responded to reports of a multi-vehicle collision on the eastbound carriageway at 8.15pm after a high-powered Volkswagen Golf burst into flames.
Witnesses described hearing a tremendous impact before the vehicle erupted into flames, sending a huge fireball and thick black smoke into the sky.
A passing family, understood to have been among the first at the scene, reportedly risked their lives to pull occupants from the wreckage, running towards it in a desperate attempt to save injured passengers before first responders arrived.
Despite their best efforts, the two teens were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A 16-year-old boy also suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, as were two other victims.
In a statement this afternoon, police said that three men aged 18, 19, and 23 have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop.
They remain in custody, and enquiries are ongoing within the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
Detective Chief Inspector James Beck said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones following this tragic incident. As we work to build a picture of the circumstances, we are keen to hear from any witnesses to the collision – particularly those with dashcam footage.
‘We are aware of videos circulating on social media which appear to show the aftermath of the collision,’ he added, urging people to ‘be respectful of the impact of this footage’.
Encouraging online users not to share the videos, police implore anyone with information to ‘instead contact [the Met] directly’.
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Following the fatal collision, roads were closed, and officers from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command remained at the scene throughout the night, as did specialist collision investigators, who conducted a detailed forensic examination of the wreckage and the surrounding area.
It is understood that the Volkswagen Golf involved may have been significantly exceeding the speed limit moments before the collision.
However, the exact circumstances leading up to the crash are still being investigated.
Meanwhile, witnesses have said that the survival of anyone is ‘nothing short of a miracle,’ with several in disbelief that anyone could have escaped the inferno.