A local priest called to the scene of the crash in Co Kerry said several communities have been deadened by the loss of life.

Father Kevin McNamara, who knew some of the teenagers, said emergency crews were working amid utter devastation.

Up to 15 firefighters were on a steep ditch trying to cut the teenagers from the mangled wreckage. The driver and a front seat passenger had been cut out of the wreckage by the time the priest arrived.

"The fire brigade were working unbelievably in just getting the three others out from the back seat," he said.

"We were waiting, just waiting for them to come out - then the devastation, the tracksuits, young clothes and young people and the first one (of the brothers) came out and was pronounced dead."

Michael Flynn, assistant chief fire officer in Co Kerry, said: "It's a job that needs to be done at the time. It's our job to free the people and give them over to the medical service. We just have to try and stay focused."

He described how the car lost control and ploughed down a deep roadside ditch.

"The car crashed and hit a ditch and an oak tree. The driver's side took all the impact," the fire chief said. "The car was wedged between the road, the field and the tree down a 10ft drop."

Parents of the dead arrived hours later and left flowers at the roadside.

"The only thing we can do is stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people at the moment," Fr McNamara said.