The four men, aged between 18 and 21, were pronounced dead at the scene after the head-on collision in the early hours of this morning
A FIREFIGHTER who rushed to a car crash that killed four young men early yesterday morning is said to have found his daughter badly injured in the same vehicle.
All the men - named locally as Declan Grove, 19, Matty Walshaw, 18, Brandon Frew, 18, and Caelan Megson, 21 - were pronounced dead at the scene on the outskirts of Leeds after their car crashed into an Uber taxi.
Police say early investigations suggest the car the men were in, a five-seat Seat Leon carrying six passengers, was speeding.
Two girls, aged 16 and 17, who police say were travelling with the men, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Last night the 16-year-old remained in a critical condition but the 17-year-old's injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The Sunday Times reports the father of one of the girls was a firefighter called to the scene of the accident, but this was not confirmed by police.
The Uber driver, a 42-year-old from Bradford whose car was travelling in the opposite direction, was also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Steph Callaghan, 31, who lives opposite the scene of the crash, told MailOnline: "[It] was so bad you could not make out how many cars were involved. It was just a mess of metal.
"I saw a young female crawl out of the wreckage. The taxi driver looked surprisingly all right."
About 20 minutes after the crash, Callaghan said she saw a woman at the scene, screaming: "Where is she, where is she?"
Sergeant Fiona Hoodless, of West Yorkshire police, said: "Early indications are that the Leon was travelling at speed at the time of the collision."
Yesterday, groups of mourners today arrived at the site of the 2.40am crash as cops removed cordons and re-opened the road to traffic.
Tearful pals hugged each other and cried as two women taped flowers to a lamppost next to where the tragedy unfolded.
Chara Andrews, 19, told how he had grown up with all four victims and felt "absolutely empty".
He said: "When I found out this morning I didn't want to believe it. They were the best set of lads you could ever meet.
"We've had some of the best times and I feel happy now remembering it. I know they all together and looking down on us at the moment.
One grieving mother's tribute read: "To my beautiful son You were so loved and adored. Rest in peace Always in my heart and mind forever I love you so much Mum."
Another heartbreaking note read: "You’re always in our hearts forever, words cannot describe the love I have for you little bro, keep smiling up there kid. RIP Love you always."
Witnesses described horrific scenes this morning — including seeing a young girl crawling out of the wreckage.
Adam Omar, 34, who was asleep with his partner when the crash happened, told how he heard a "skid" and then a bang which was like an "explosion".
He went outside and saw "half a car" in the middle of the road alongside the taxi.
He said: "There was a young girl lying in the middle of the road."
Pregnant mum-of-two Steph Callaghan, 31, said: "I was awake, getting myself a drink, when I heard a speeding car.
"It was that loud that I thought it was a motorbike. Then there was a screech of tyres and a big explosion of noise.
"The crash was so bad you could not make out how many cars were involved. It was just a mess of metal.
Up to 30 emergency vehicles, including cops, firefighters and paramedics, arrived at the scene within minutes.
Investigators believe the Leon had been travelling in the direction of Weetwood and the Alhambra was heading in the opposite direction when they collided head-on on Broadway, near to the junction with Bank Gardens in Horsforth, West Yorks.
Sgt 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."
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the horror crash to come forward, including anyone with dashcam footage.
Ch Insp 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.
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