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Man and woman in their 70s killed after van involved in police chase collides with their car

<em>A man and woman in their 70s were killed after a van involved in a police chase hit the car they were in (Picture: PA)</em>
A man and woman in their 70s were killed after a van involved in a police chase hit the car they were in (Picture: PA)

A man and woman in their 70s have died after the car they were in was hit by a van which was being chased by police.

The victims were in a Citroen C3 when it was involved in a collision with a van in Eltham, south-east London, at about 12am on Saturday.

Scotland Yard said the pursuit started after police officers spotted the van being “driven erratically at speed” and it failed to stop.

Following the collision, paramedics were called but the man and woman in the Citroen were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the alcohol limit, driving while unfit through drugs and death by dangerous driving, the Metropolitan Police said.

<em>The crash happened in Eltham, south-east London, at around 12am on Saturday (Picture: PA)</em>
The crash happened in Eltham, south-east London, at around 12am on Saturday (Picture: PA)

On Saturday morning council staff could be seen putting down sand on Footscray Road, which has 30mph speed limits, and tyre marks could be seen across the carriageway and on a grass bank, with damage to a wooden post.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident.

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A spokesman said: “Our investigators have attended the scene and post incident procedures to gather the initial evidence. Our investigation will focus on the police’s actions prior to the crash.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and all those affected by this incident. We will make contact with the family at the appropriate point to explain our role.”

<em>The man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash (Picture: PA)</em>
The man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash (Picture: PA)

Neighbour Mahmut Hasan, 57, said he was asleep at the time of crash but was awoken after the Citroen came to a stop in the back of his Honda Jazz.

He told the Press Association: “Their whole car was a mess. Very badly damaged. The front was gone.”

He said: “The road can be quite dangerous though. Cars can go very quickly along here.

“I’ve lived here for 26 years and some cars really speed along.”