Five of the casualties were in the gold coloured Citroen Xsara

The crash took place in Beverley Road in the early hours of Friday. The five casualties were in a Citroen Xsara which collided with a Citroen Saxo.

The three men, two aged 17 and a 23-year-old, were in the Saxo and have also been treated for injuries.

They have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Fatal incident'

A Humberside Police spokesman said the dead girls, a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds all from Hull, were passengers in the Xsara car.

He added identification was proving difficult and not likely to take place until Monday.

Another female passenger, aged 18, is critically ill and the 21-year-old male driver has lost a leg and undergone surgery.

Both vehicles are thought to have been travelling north when the crash occurred.

The Citroen Xsara hit a tree, collided with a fence and then hit another tree. The Citroen Saxo also hit a tree.

The spokesman said: "It is believed both vehicles were seen together in the city centre around Anne Street prior to the fatal incident.

"Any information about the manner of driving of either of these vehicles or why they were in the city centre is sought."