TWO of the three men who died after their estate car crashed off the A4074 in Oxford are thought to be American, according to Thames Valley Police.

The accident happened at about 9.50pm on Monday when the blue Mercedes E-class Estate left the dual carriageway immediately after the turn-off for Sandford.

The car, containing three men and two women, left the inside lane and crossed a grass verge before hitting two trees and rolling down an embankment.

The three men, aged 57, 39, and 31, were declared dead at the scene, while a 37-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for treatment, where they remain in a stable condition.

None of the victims have been named and police have been contacting their families.

Pc Martin Mann, of the joint roads policing unit in Abingdon, said: “This is clearly a tragic incident in which three people sadly died, and two others were injured, and we have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.

“At this stage, we are trying to ensure all the victims’ next of kin are notified in the proper way and this can take some time.

“Two of the men who died — the 57-year-old and the 39-year-old — are believed to be US citizens and as such we have contacted the US Embassy and are working closely with them.

“I would appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw a blue Mercedes E Class Estate in the area around the time of the incident to contact us with information.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on inquiry line 101 or the Crimestoppers charity on an anonymous basis on 0800 555111.