Police say the women were found severely wounded in a house in Bushey, northwest of London, and later died at the scene.

British police are hunting for a man believed to be armed with a crossbow after three women were killed in a house near London.

The BBC said on Wednesday that the women killed were the family of its main radio racing commentator, John Hunt.

Police said Kyle Clifford, 26, was being sought over the suspected triple murder, which potentially involved a crossbow and other weapons.

“The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been an horrific incident, involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow and other weapons may also have been used,” Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson said.

Police said the three women – aged 25, 28 and 61 – were found seriously wounded in a house in Bushey, northwest of London, on Tuesday evening. Police and ambulance crews tried to save them but they were pronounced dead at the scene.

BBC Radio 5 Live, the corporation’s main news and sports radio channel, said the victims were Carol Hunt, wife of its commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters.

John Hunt is BBC radio’s main horse racing commentator, his voice known to millions through his coverage of the world-famous Grand National and The Derby.

British media reported that he found the bodies early Tuesday evening after returning home from reporting at Lingfield Park racecourse, which is just south of London.

One neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Watford Observer newspaper at about 7pm, she heard a woman “screaming and then it was more shrill”.

Police did not say if Clifford, who is from London, is connected to the women. The man may still be armed with the weapon and the public was warned not to approach him.

Addressing the suspect directly, Simpson said, “Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this, please make contact with the police.”

Crossbows are legal in the United Kingdom and no licence is required to own one.