Four killed in Cheshire car crash

Four people were killed when their car crashed into a tree, police said today.

The accident happened at around 2.10am today on the A540, Chester High Road, at Neston in Cheshire.

The victims, all thought to be in their 20s and from the local area, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire crews were worked through the night to release three bodies from the wreckage of the car.

The fourth victim was thrown from the vehicle on impact, Cheshire Police said.

The car was travelling north towards Wirral, Merseyside, when the crash happened close to the junction with The Runnel.

A police spokeswoman said: "Investigations are on-going and the road is likely to remain closed until mid-morning.

"We are working to identify the victims and inform next-of-kin."

The crash happened just yards past a sign warning motorists there had been 59 collisions at the spot in the last three years.

The car, which was upside-down in the middle of the road, was severely compressed in the collision after overturning onto its roof.

Scores of police were at the scene with forensic teams spread out into bushes and fields on one side of the road searching for clues to the cause.

Cheshire Police confirmed some bodies have yet to be removed and formally identified.

Anyone who witnessed the crash should call Cheshire Police's traffic unit on 0845 458 000.