Victims of Leeds crash that killed five named locally as brothers Ellis and Elliott Thornton and Darnell Harte

The brothers, aged 12 and 15, described as ‘cheeky chappies’ by their godmother

Two young brothers killed in a stolen car crash in Leeds have been named as Ellis and Elliott Thornton by devastated relatives who said their death has left a “huge void in their lives”.

The horror crash claimed the lives of five young males, leaving a scene of “complete carnage” with bodies strewn in the road and the Renault Clio reduced to rubble.

The Thornton brothers’ godmother, Louise Thornton, described the youngsters as “cheeky chappies” and said that no words were adequate to convey the loss felt by their devastated family.

Ellis, aged just 12, and Elliott, aged 15, are understood to have lived with their mother and two sisters.

A third victim was also named locally as 15-year-old Darnell Harte and police confirmed that two older males, aged 24 and 28, were also killed.

Two schoolboys, both aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Officers are working to establish whether all seven people either arrested or killed were in the Renault Clio when it crashed into a tree in the Meanwood area of the city on Saturday night.

Neighbours described hearing a loud bang on Stonegate Road where the crash occurred at 9.45pm.

Only one vehicle was involved in the crash, police said, but officers are working to establish whether all the victims had been in the car.

Two of the three now named locally were pronounced dead at the scene and the third died a short time later in hospital.

Writing on social media, a devastated girl understood to be the sister of the Thornton brothers, said: “I don’t really know what to say. Every time I go to speak I cry. My head and my body is full of pain.

“I wish I told you I love you everyday, I wish I didn’t shout, argue and fight with you, I wish you could just be with me right this second, I am so lost for words. I wish you were here.

“How can you be gone just like that in the flick of a switch? I love you with every piece of me, and always will.”

Residents living on the road described the horrific aftermath of the crash.

One man who lives close to scene, said: “It was unbelievable. You couldn't even recognise it as a car. It was just a crumpled mess.”

His wife said: “There were bodies laid about, it was awful. It was as bad as that.

“We were just sat here and we just heard an almighty crash. We sat here and thought ‘what the heck was that?’”

The woman, who did not want to give her name, said it was impossible to tell whether the dead and injured had been in the car or walking along the street when the crash occurred.

West Yorkshire Police have appealed to the public for information about the crash.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Griffiths said: “This is clearly a tragic incident in which five young people have lost their lives. We are currently investigating the exact circumstances of what happened.

“I would like to take this opportunity to ask anyone who saw what happened or has information about it to call us on 101 quoting log 1859 of Saturday 26 November.”

Floral tributes began mounting up for the five who lost their lives. One note pinned to the flowers read: “Darnell (gone too soon). It just doesn’t make sense. Hope now you’re at some peace. Will remember you for your cheekiness.”

One of the mothers of the deceased visited the scene in obvious distress and did not speak to waiting reporters.

Several teenagers arrived at the police cordon, many in tears, while others took to social media to express their feelings.

One young woman wrote on Facebook: “RIP Darnell, gone but never forgotten, my baby brother always.”

The Press Association contributed to this report