Three boys killed at a London bus stop on Friday night had been on their way to a 16th birthday party.
Harry Rice, 16, George Wilkinson and Josh Kennedy were hit by a black Audi in Hayes, west London, at about 8.30pm and were pronounced dead at the scene. Other teenagers at the bus stop were unhurt.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken to hospital. Police said he was detained by members of the public at the scene of the collision before being taken into custody.
Witnesses said two boys had attacked the suspect before police arrived. Jake Webb, 18, a schools administrator, said he had tried to intervene. “I said, ‘Can you stop that? We’re going to call 999’. They said, ‘Please call the police. He’s hit our friend’.”
Detectives believe other people may have been in the car and are seeking at least one other man who is thought to have fled the scene.
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Jane Shaw, of the Metropolitan police serious collision investigation unit, said: “These are horrific circumstances that have resulted in three young people losing their lives.”
Tributes were left at the scene, with scores of people visiting the street during the day to leave cards and flowers in memory of the teenagers.
One read “George Boy, I love you so much, love Kev, Vinnie.” Another added: “I thought I would never have to write this and I don’t know what to write but I will always love and miss you millions.”
Harry’s mother and sister changed their Facebook profile pictures to photographs of the teenager.
Tony Kitchin, 44, who works as a security guard nearby, said: “This road is busy 24/7. It’s a speed trap. I’m really surprised we haven’t had more horrific accidents like this.”