THREE teenagers have died and one is fighting for his life after a horror high-speed crash in an overloaded stolen car in Melbourne's north.
The trio and three others - all aged 14 to 16 - were in a Toyota Camry that lost control on a slight bend and then slammed into a concrete wall on Pascoe Vale Rd near Barry Rd in Coolaroo just after midnight.
The female driver, 16, another girl, 14, and a boy, 16, died at the scene.
Another 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition with head and leg injuries at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Three teens died at the scene. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
A 15-year-old boy has abdominal injuries and is in a serious condition at the Royal Children's Hospital. A 14-year-old boy is in a stable condition.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said at the scene this morning: "Just after midnight last night a Toyota Camry sedan was travelling south on Pascoe Vale Rd.
Do you know anyone involved in this tragedy? Contact our newsdesk on 03 9292 1226 or email news@heraldsun.com.au
"As it approached the entrance of the Coolaroo railway station on a slight right-hand bend it appears there that the driver has started to lose control of that vehicle.
"About 100m further it's collided with a fairly substantial brick wall.
"At that point we are aware there was six people in the vehicle, and as a result of that impact, there are three deceased young people.
Little is left of the car after smashing into the wall on Pascoe Vale Rd. Picture: Jason Edwards
"We also have one young person with life threatening injuries and two in a stable condition at hospital.
"Any scene where you've got a loss of life, let alone the three we've had in this situation can only be described as horrific.
"At this stage it's early days of the investigation but again looking at the distance travelled, the condition of the vehicle, we would certainly say that speed was a certainly a factor in this collision."
Police gather evidence to help determine what caused the accident. Picture: Jason Edwards
Google Street View of the accident scene
The six teens are from the northern suburbs.
Skid marks can be clearly seen on the road and grass. Picture: Jason Edwards
Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Mark Amos said the car was travelling faster than the 80km/h speed limit and that alcohol had not been ruled out as a factor.
Mr Crisp said one passenger was known to police.
Det Sgt Amos said: "The greatest sad thing here is that all the occupants were teenagers and young teenagers at that.
The crash happened on Pascoe Vale Road in Coolaroo just after midnight. Picture: Brownbill Andrew
"Now we have to go tell families substantially the worst information they will ever receive.
"Young teenagers are in a car at midnight on a Wednesday night. They should be tucked up in bed with their families and going to school the next day.
"Whenever there is children involved it is a drain on (police). We will all take something away from this forever."
Neighbour Sevda Ucar said she and her husband rushed to the wreckage after hearing the crash.
"I am still shaking - it was devastating," she said.
"I called the police and went out there and one boy was standing there, he was only 14 or 15. He was in shock.
"I couldn't look in the car, my husband said the ones in the back were still moving. He said it smelt of alcohol."
Premier Ted Baillieu said it was an avoidable tragedy, and that educating young people about the dangers of getting behind the wheel needed to continue.
He said his heart went out to the families of the teenagers.
"As a father you just despair at moments like this and you just feel for parents," he told ABC radio.
"Any parent who's got kids of that age would be choking I think about the news this morning."
Mr Crisp said: "As to why that driver lost control, given the age of the person it could be just general inexperience travelling at speed.
"Who knows what was going on in the vehicle at that time, there could have been people moving around, she could have been knocked, I just don't know, it's all conjecture at this stage.
"This isn't the first time this has happened, and we can all think back to similar triple fatalities, or the serious fatalities we've had in recent years.
"As police officers, whether the most junior attending these scenes or the most senior ... we take these personally, and we shake our heads when we see these sorts of situations.
"We know that some young people engage in risk-taking behaviour, it's about what we can all do as a community as family, as friends, to try and protect, discourage and support young people that might engage in this sort of activity."
Mr Crisp said police were investigating what the teens were doing before the accident.
Det Sgt Amos said the message about not speeding, drinking, or taking drugs when driving was still as relevant as ever.
The road toll stands at 242, eight more than this time last year.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
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