A 16-year-old boy has died after the car he was in crashed while being pursued by police.
Cleveland police said the victim, who has been named on social media as Brandon Morris, was a passenger in a silver Ford Focus that crashed into a Nissan Qashqai in Middlesbrough at about 8pm on Tuesday.
Police said two males, aged 17 and 22, had been arrested in connection with the incident. They said officers in a marked police car had activated the vehicle’s lights and sirens, but the Ford Focus did not stop for police.
“A short pursuit ensued during which the Ford Focus was subsequently in collision with a Qashqai which was being driven near the junction of Park Road North and Park Vale Road in Middlesbrough,” they said.
“A 16-year-old boy in the Focus suffered serious injuries during the collision. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at James Cook University hospital.”
The North East ambulance service said six people in total were taken to hospital following the crash. The current condition of the other five people has not been disclosed.
Cleveland police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as is standard practice when someone dies after contact with the police.
Tributes for the victim have poured in on social media, with one friend writing: “God only takes the best.” Another wrote: “Fly high brother – never forgotten.”
Writing on Facebook, Keitan Morris, the victim’s twin brother, said: “Words can’t describe how hurt I am right now. You weren’t only my best mate, you were my twin brother, I love you so much bran”.
“I really can’t believe it. Anyone but you mate, I’m in tears here you don’t understand how much I want this to be a dream, please come back.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with funeral costs.
