Five teenagers are in critical condition in hospital, some in an induced coma, after a "horrific" crash in Sydney's North Shore on Sunday afternoon.
Police were pursuing the car after investigating the alleged assault of a 17-year-old, who officers believe had organised to meet the teenagers.
The teenagers were chased twice by police, who said they called off the second pursuit before the car ploughed into a tree on West Street in Cammeray, bursting into flames.
Neighbours said police arrived shortly after the crash.
"They started smashing the windows and started pulling the guys out," Cammeray resident Josh Moore said.
"The car caught alight, a few of us had extinguishers so I used that on the engine bay, got a fire hose onto it and then the fire brigade turned up."
"They weren't too good … it was pretty gruesome experience."
The driver, an unlicensed 16-year-old girl, another 16-year-old girl, two 17-year-old boys and an 18-year-old man, are from Sydney's north and north-west, and were given first aid and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.
"This is a horrific incident which is likely to have lifelong consequences for all involved," Detective Superintendent Paul Devaney said.
"The injuries range from serious facial and head injuries to spinal injuries, we have numerous fractures, very very serious injuries.
"I understand some are in induced comas."
Resident Leonard Walker said the scene was "upsetting".
"One of the ladies they pulled out of the back seat, they dragged her to the ambulance … she didn't look good at all, she was very still."
The crash has been declared a critical incident and will be investigated by an independent police command with support from the LECC.
"The police determined the pursuit should be terminated due to the manner of driving … they failed to stop for police," Detective Superintendent Devaney said.
"I have viewed the body-worn video footage of the incident when police attended the burning vehicle and their actions are nothing short of heroic.
"If they didn't remove those occupants from the vehicle I would think that we would have a fatality for sure."
