Burnley car chase: Passenger dies after vehicle being pursued by police crashes into lamppost

Driver and second passenger also hurt in collision as independent investigation launched into death

Police had been pursuing the vehicle in Colne Road in Burnley at the time of the crash (Google)

The passenger of a car involved in a chase with police through Burnley has died after the vehicle smashed into a lamppost.

Police said the 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in the Lancashire town after a pursuit sparked when the car’s driver refused a request by officers to stop.

Three people had been travelling in the vehicle at around 1.25am on Saturday morning when the incident took place.

The driver and a back seat passenger were taken to Royal Preston Hospital following the crash to receive treatment.

The man killed in the collision, who was from Burnley, had been sat in the front passenger seat of the car when it hit a lamppost in Colne Road.

Lancashire Constabulary said the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will conduct its own investigation into the circumstances of the death.

“Our thoughts are with the families of these men at this incredibly difficult time,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Ashton from the force. “We have specially trained officers supporting them.”

An IOPC spokesman said investigators had been sent to the scene and police involvement prior to the fatal collision was being examined.

“We have since declared an independent investigation,” he added. “We understand the incident happened at around 1.25am on Saturday after a vehicle had failed to stop for police.”