Police sources say the fatal crash occurred near the Finning premises on Gerald Road. Google Maps

Two boys – aged 13 and 14 – died and two other 14-year-olds seriously injured when a car in which they were passengers left the road and collided with a tree in Leeds. The car was being driven by a 21-year-old who police believe picked up the boys without their parents' permission.

The car was being driven by a 21-year-old, who police believe picked up the boys without their parents' permission.

The car, a blue Peugeot, was reported to have overtaken another car on the A62 before smashing into a tree in Gelderd Road, Morley at 1.50pm on Saturday (8 March). No other vehicles were thought to be involved.

The two 14-year-olds are fighting for their lives in hospital. The injuries of the driver are not thought to be life-threatening.

The dead children have been named locally as George Wharton and Rhys Baker from Bruntcliffe Secondary School and Morley Academy. Friends began leaving flowers at the scene of the crash and

Friends began leaving flowers at the scene of the crash and leaving messages on social media on hearing the news.

In a statement published on the West Yorkshire Police website Superintendent Sam Millar said: "This is a terrible tragedy for two young boys who had their whole lives ahead of them."

Millar added: "It is thought that a 21-year-old man picked the four boys up from their homes without the permission of their parents. We are appealing for any witnesses to how the car – a blue coloured Peugeot – was being driven before the incident. We believe the car overtook another vehicle at

"We believe the car overtook another vehicle at speed and then collided with a tree on Gelderd Road near to the Finning premises. The car was being driven in the direction of Gildersome at the time.

"The driver remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. We are appealing for any witnesses to the specific incident but also the movements and behaviour of the car during the rest of the day. We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the vehicle at the Tesco Express store in Churwell.

"I would also like to praise a number of members of the public who stopped at the scene of the incident and helped in whatever way they could."

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