Two teenage girls were killed when a car they were in plunged into the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

They were in a green Peugeot 206 being driven through a series of bends on Broughton Road heading away from the town centre when it smashed through a set of metal railings and went into the water at Niffany Corner.

The accident happened between 8.30pm on Monday and 6am yesterday, when the car was discovered on its roof in the canal after leaving the road, a police spokesman said.

It is unclear how long the car had been in the water when it was reported to the emergency services by a passer-by.

A major underwater search and rescue operation was launched and police closed off Broughton Road for more than six hours between Broughton Grove and the junction with the A59.

Divers from the police and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association searched the canal and two fire crews from Skipton joined the attempt to find the girls.

However, their bodies were found in the water and the car was finally winched from the canal shortly after 12.30pm.

John Foster, group manager for the Craven district of North Yorkshire Fire Service, was one of the first at the scene.

He said: "When we arrived, it was unclear how long the car had been there and preliminary investigations were carried out. Police underwater search and rescue teams were called by the police."

North Yorkshire Road Policing Sergeant Ian Pope appealed to anyone with information which could help the investigation to get in touch.

He said: "The road is quite a busy route and we would appeal to anyone who may have seen the green Peugeot prior to the collision or saw the vehicle leave the road to contact the police.

"This is a tragic incident. Two young people have had their lives cut short and our thoughts are with their families at this time."

It was the third fatal accident in the area in little more than a year.

In February, 2007, John Pratt, 87, of Barnoldswick, died when his Renault Clio was in collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter van at the junction of Broughton Road and the A59. Improvements will be put in place at the junction in June, said North Yorkshire County Council's highways manager Chris Craven.

A month earlier a lorry driver died when her vehicle was blown off the nearby A629 Skipton bypass where it crosses Broughton Road as gales swept the region.

The lorry, driven by 49-year-old Kris Doran, of Manchester, crashed through a barrier, plunged 30ft and landed upside down in the canal.

Police are not naming the victims of the latest tragedy until relatives have been informed, a spokesman said.

The coroner has been informed.

Flowers, teddy bears and cards made out to Larissa' and Sarah' were placed at the scene of the accident yesterday.

One of the cards read: "I can't believe you are gone, you will be deeply missed."

Another read: "Love you lots Sarah. RIP, love from Rachel."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw the car being driven before the collision should contact Traffic Constable Mark Tiffany at Skipton police station on 0845 6060247 ext 3726.