A man has died after the car he was travelling in crashed into a bus stop after a police chase early on Christmas Day.
The man, in his 30s, had been taken to hospital after the incident, which happened at 4.35am in Old Swan, Liverpool, while the driver of the vehicle was detained at the scene.
Merseyside police said they had referred events to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as per protocol.
A spokesperson for the IPCC said: “We were notified of a fatal road traffic incident in Liverpool this morning by Merseyside police. We have begun an independent investigation as initial information suggests the collision was preceded by a short police pursuit.
“We have deployed an investigator to the scene.”
A cordon remains in place around the area where the crash took place to allow for an investigation to be carried out. Merseyside police tweeted: “Prescot Road in Old Swan is currently closed between Green Lane and St Oswalds Street following a serious road traffic collision this morning. Please avoid the area.”
The victim has yet to be identified.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact MSOC roads policing officers on 0151 777 5747 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.