Two people killed after police chase ends in crash

Two people have died and four people have been arrested after a BMW that was being pursued by police collided with another car in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police say a blue BMW 123D failed to stop for a police vehicle on Gelderd Road at 12.44am on Sunday morning.

Police officers began to pursue the vehicle and the BMW was involved in a collision 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, was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene, and a passenger in the same car, a 23-year-old woman from York, was pronounced deceased at hospital a short time later.

Following the crash, a 39-year-old man from Harrogate has been 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. They have each been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

West Yorkshire Police say Gelderd Road is closed in both directions to allow a collision investigation to take place. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

A force spokesperson added referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which has declared an independent investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle in the time leading up to it, particularly anyone with relevant dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage, is asked to contact officers via 101 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat quoting reference 13260649342.

More follows on this breaking news story. Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent