POLICE investigators were last night still trying to piece together the chain of events which caused the deaths of two teenagers in a horror crash in Bradford.

Ather Ayaz, 18 and Mohammed Hamza Ali, 18 were killed when a red Honda Civic left the road and smashed through a bollard in Manningham Lane.

Police believe the Honda had been involved in an "incident" with a silver Audi A4 shortly before it crashed.

A man and woman, both aged 20, who are understood to have been in the Audi, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and released on bail while the police probe continues.

One councillor described the tragedy as an "absolute waste of two young lives".

Family and friends of the dead teenagers, both pupils at Belle Vue Boys' School, in Heaton, described them as well-liked, friendly and helpful members of the community.

Yesterday, tearful family and friends visited the scene of the crash at the junction of Manningham Lane and Hamilton Street to lay flowers.

Jamal Mahboob, a friend of both families, described the pair as "best friends".

"They were always happy and always helpful to the community and their elders," he said.

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"They were lovely kids. They were both the youngest in their families, everyone is devastated. They were very well known in the area"

Ather's brother Azher said: "He was a lovely, lovely person who got on with everyone."

Councillor Ishtiaq Ahmed (Ind, Manningham) said: "This is very tragic - an absolute waste of two young lives. At this moment it is difficult to say exactly what happened, but my thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

"The community is in total shock about this. I drove past the scene of the accident shortly afterwards and to see the carnage was absolutely horrific.

"Some of the family had managed to make it to the scene, and it was absolutely devastating to see them suffering."

A Facebook page, RIP Hamza and Ather, was set up by their friends yesterday.

The funerals of Hamza, of Toller Lane, and Ather, of Masham Place, Heaton, will be held at the Toller Lane mosque, although the date has yet to be set.

Sergeant Ann Drury, of the Major Collision Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police, said officers were unclear about the circumstances of the contact between the two cars, but it appeared to have taken place several minutes before the Honda left the road at about 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Sgt Drury said: "We believe there was some sort of incident between the two vehicles but we are at a very early stage of the investigation and we are trying to establish the circumstances.

"It occurred a few minutes before the fatal collision and we are led to believe it was a little distance away.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who saw anything occur between the Audi and the Honda."

Sgt Drury said it was not thought the occupants of the two vehicles were known to each other.

All possibilities will be considered, including whether there had been a previous accident, a road rage incident, or 'competitive' driving.

Anyone who witnessed the incident can contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team by calling 01924 293047 or 101.