The bodies of two boys, a youth and a man who were killed when a stolen high-powered car smashed into a Bradford chip shop and burst into flames have been released to their families.

An inquest was today opened in Bradford into the deaths of Thomas George Tilleard, 15; Robert Anthony Lynn, 16; Craig Anthony James, 17, and James Liam McCluskey, 21, who were in a Subaru Impreza in Killinghall Road, Laisterdyke, at about 4.30am on Thursday, December 11.

Giving evidence to Coroner Roger Whittaker, Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Police in the Undercliffe area were responding to reports of an attempted burglary and were on patrol when they saw a black Subaru that had been reported stolen the previous evening.

“Officers followed but the vehicle drove off at very high speed.

“A short time later the vehicle collided with a business on Killinghall Road.

“Officers removed the front seat passenger from the vehicle and attempted to resuscitate him but at 4.40am life was pronounced extinct. At approximately 4.54am the other occupants of the vehicle were also declared dead.”

Mr Whittaker said preliminary post-mortem examination findings showed that the cause of all fo ur deaths was as a result of multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma consistent with a road traffic collision.

He said: “I am satisfied that is a tragic case where four young people lost their lives. The causes of death seem to have been almost identical and at this stage I am satisfied there is no need to retain the bodies further.”

Thomas, of Lapwing Close, Lower Grange, Bradford, was a student at a Pupil Referral Unit.

Robert was unemployed and lived with his parents in Arden Road, Allerton.

Craig, also unemployed, lived with his family in Wenborough Lane, Holme Wood.

Mr McCluskey, 21, lived at Harrier Close, Lower Grange. His funeral is due to take place at St Clare's Church, Fagley Road, Bradford, on Christmas Eve. The inquest was adjourned pending further inquiries and is expected to be resumed sometime next year.

An Independent Police Complaints inquiry has absolved police of any blame for the crash.

Its investigation found that the police pursuit of the car that had been stolen in Daisy Hill, Bradford, had lasted less than a minute before it careered at high-speed into Killinghall Fisheries causing the building to partially collapse. e-mail: paddy.mguffin @telegraphandargus.co.uk