Two married couples from the UK have died after their car crashed into trees near a highway in central Germany, police have confirmed.
The fatal accident took place shortly after midnight on Saturday in the Kassel district, north of Hesse. Authorities said the British-registered vehicle veered off the road, coming to rest about 30 metres away, wedged between trees.
The victims a 32-year-old man who was driving, a 31-year-old woman, a 32-year-old woman and a 30-year-old woman were all pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts from German emergency services.
Emergency responders were first alerted when one of the victims’ phones automatically notified authorities of the crash around 12:30am. Ambulances, fire engines, command vehicles and emergency support teams were dispatched to the site.
When fire crews arrived, they found the car lying on its side. After removing the roof, they discovered all four victims inside. Specialist mental health workers were brought in immediately to support the Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department team who responded to the incident.
A fire department spokesperson described it as “an extraordinary operation” due to the high number of fatalities.