Girls, 17 and 18, die when their car hits a deer and crashes before exploding into flames

Two teenage girls were killed in a fireball today when their car exploded after hitting a deer.

The victims, aged 17 and 18, were driving to work this morning when the animal jumped out in front of their Citroen on the A10 in Hetfordshire.

As the driver tried desperately to control the car, it was struck by a Volvo and burst into flames, killing them both.

Witnesses told how the driver of the Volvo, a man in his 50s, raced over to the inferno on the dual carriageway country road and tried desperately to free the girls.

But he was unable to get to them through the flames and was pulled back and cared for by three members of the public until help arrived.

Paramedics were unable to save the girls’ lives after pulling their bodies from the charred remains of the car.

The man was taken to hospital where he was treated for leg injuries.

The road remained closed for more than five hours today as police, ambulance and fire crews rushed to the scene.

A full-scale investigation was launched today and Hertfordshire Constabulary appealed to witnesses to come forward.

In a statement, the force said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and information after two teenage girls died in a collision on the A10 in East Herts this morning.

“The collision occurred on the northbound carriageway between Ware and the A120 Puckeridge exit at around 7.45am when a Citroen C1 collided with a deer. A Volvo V40 then collided with the Citroen, which caught fire.

“The driver and passenger of the Citroen, who are 18 and 17 years old, died at the scene. The driver of the Volvo was taken to hospital for treatment.

Gary Sanderson, spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service, attended the scene. He said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the two girls who sadly lost their lives this morning.”