FOUR men have died and three people have suffered serious injuries after a car and taxi crashed into each other.

The four, one aged 18, two aged 19 and a 21-year-old, were pronounced dead at the scene on Broadway, the A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road, near to the junction with Bank Gardens in Horsforth.

Officers were called to the collision between a grey Seat Leon car - which police say was travelling "at speed" and a grey Seat Alhambra taxi people carrier, at 2.41am on Saturday.

West Yorkshire Police said the Leon was travelling in the direction of Weetwood and the Alhambra was heading in the opposite direction.

Those who died were among six occupants of the Leon.

Two girls, aged 16 and 17, from the Leon were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The 16-year-old remains in a critical condition and the 17-year-old’s injuries are not considered life threatening. All those involved are local to the area.

The driver of the Alhambra, a 42-year-old man from Bradford, was taken to hospital with injuries that are serious, but not considered life threatening.

Sergeant Fiona Hoodless, of West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “This is a very tragic incident where four young men have lost their lives and three other people are in hospital with serious injuries.

“The families of those involved are devastated by what has happened and we are doing everything we can to support them at this very difficult time.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and that investigation is still at a very early stage. Early indications are that the Leon was travelling at speed at the time of the collision.

“We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision itself or saw the circumstances leading up to it. We are also keen to speak to anyone who saw the silver Seat Leon being driven in the area at any point prior to the collision, particularly anyone with dashcam footage that could assist the investigation.

Chief Inspector Richard Padwell, of Leeds District Police, said: “The deaths of four young people in these circumstances is clearly very tragic and our thoughts and condolences go out to everyone affected by it.

“We don’t underestimate the impact that the deaths of these young people will be having in the community and we would ask that people focus on supporting each other and supporting the police investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked contact West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team via 101 quoting log number 266 of Saturday, June 30.

Officers are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident and the road has been closed.

West Yorkshire Police say it is likely to remain that way for some time.