Two dead after car pursued by police crashes with their vehicle

Two people have died after a car which was being pursued by police collided with another vehicle, police said.

The BMW then collided with a white Volkswagen Scirocco which was turning into Gelderd Road from Lowfields Road.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 22-year-old man from York, died at the scene and a passenger in the same car, a 23-year-old woman, also from York, was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later, the force said.

A 39-year-old man from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit for cannabis in relation to the incident and remains in custody.

Three other occupants of the BMW, two boys aged 16 and 17 and a 16-year-old girl, were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not considered life threatening.

All three of them were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

West Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has declared an independent investigation.

The junction where the crash took place is surrounded by several car dealerships.

Gelderd Road remains closed and drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

Anyone with information or dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage of the incident is urged contact officers via 101 or online, quoting reference 13260649342.