Two people dead after car being pursued by police crashes with their vehicle

Two people have died and four people have been arrested after a BMW that was being pursued by police collided with a Volkswagen in Leeds in the early hours of Sunday morning, West Yorkshire Police said. At 12.44am this morning a blue BMW 123D failed to stop for a police vehicle in Gelderd Road. A pursuit was commenced 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 pronounced deceased at the scene, and a passenger in the same car, a 23-year-old woman from York, died at hospital a short time later. 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 passengers 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. A scene and road closure remain in place in Gelderd Road, and drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which has declared an independent investigation. Officers are asking 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, to come forward.

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