Part of the Astra, which was "ripped apart" in the crash

Three other people, including an eleven-year-old girl, were taken to hospital in Ayr after the head-on collision on the A77.

One of the cars, a Vauxhall Astra, was split in half with sections on different sides of the road.

Inspector Gordon Fulton said the vehicle, which had been carrying four people, was "ripped apart" by the force of the crash.

Its front and rear sections were 130 metres apart.

The dead have been named as: Stuart Wallace, 17, of Macherquhat Farm, Ballantrae, the Astra driver.

Another section lies in a field nearby

Fraser McKenzie, 16, of Hawthorn Drive, Girvan, and 14-year-old Alyson Craig, of Roodlands Road, also Girvan, were also in the Astra.

The driver of the other car, a Volkswagen Polo, was Mary Duffy, 59, of Wilson Street, Girvan.

A 26-year-old man, who was the front seat passenger in the Astra, was seriously injured and was taken to Ayr Hospital.

Two passengers in the Polo, a 75-year-old woman and the girl were also injured.

The crash happened at about 2115BST on Sunday two miles north of Girvan when. The Astra was travelling south, the Polo north.

Inspector Fulton said: "I have been 27 years in the police with many of those in road policing and this actually is the worst incident I have come across.

The wreckage of the VW Polo

"It is a horrendous accident. First and foremost I have to say my heart goes out to all those involved in this.

"It is quite clear from the incident itself there has been a significant amount of speed involved."

Police allowed school friends of the dead teenagers near the crash site to pay their respects on Monday morning.

Staff and pupils at nearby Girvan Academy, which was attended by Alyson Craig and Frazer McKenzie, expressed their grief at the tragedy.

A statement from headteacher Roy Birnie said: "The staff, pupils and entire school community at Girvan Academy were devastated to learn of the tragic loss of a fifth year student, Frazer McKenzie, a fourth year student, Alyson Craig, former student Stewart Wallace and local resident Mrs Duffy.

"This tragedy has obviously had a deep impact not only in Girvan Academy but also on the whole community and surrounding areas.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones at this very difficult time."

Both cars were left in pieces after the accident

MSP for Ayr John Scott, who lives in Ballantrae and is a friend of the Wallace family, spoke of his shock at the news.

He said: "My reaction is one of absolute dismay and horror. My thoughts are with the family at this dreadful time.

"It has to be a major priority that something is done to address the safety on this notorious accident blackspot."

The motoring organisation, the RAC, has called for road safety to be taught as part of the national curriculum.

The organisation said other measures adopted around the world had failed to have any impact on the number of young and new drivers involved in serious accidents.