Twin sisters among three teenage girls killed in Halloween hit-and-run in US

The girls were run over while trick-or-treating in California

The pedestrian crossing the girls were using when they were hit (Google streetview)

Three teenage girls, including twin sisters, have been killed by a hit-and-run driver while trick-or-treating in the US.

The children, who have not been named, were run over while walking on a pedestrian crossing in California.

The accident happened in front of dozens of other children and families outside Fairhaven Elementary School at about 6.45pm local time on Halloween.

A spokesperson for the Santa Ana police department said the girls were aged between 13 and 15. The third victim was the twins’ friend.

Two victims were pronounced dead immediately and a third died as paramedics prepared to take her to hospital.

A crowd of about 200 people, many still wearing costumes, gathered near the scene consoling one another after the crash, the LA Times reported.

Authorities later found the damaged vehicle, a Honda SUV, behind a shop near the crime scene but the driver had fled.

Witnesses had tried to chase the car after the accident but lost track of the suspects when they got out.

Police are still trying to trace for two men they said were in the car at the time of the incident.

Additional reporting by PA