JACKSON COUNTY, MO. -- Two young children died in a car accident Friday evening after they took keys to the family vehicle and began driving it.

A spokesperson for the Missouri Highway Patrol said a 6-year-old and 7-year-old took the vehicle and started driving it around the property, but then continued onto E. Blue Mills Road and N. Miller Drive.

According to the crash report, the 7-year-old driver traveled at a high rate of speed and lost control. The car travelled off the roadway and struck the ground, becoming airborne.

The car then struck a guardrail, struck the ground again becoming airborne for the second time. The car struck a guywire, began overturning, struck a tree, and came to a rest off the road on its top where it then caught fire.

The wreck happened just after 4 p.m.

Authorities said neither child was wearing a seat belt.