A teenager has died following a police pursuit in County Durham.
Police were in pursuit of a Nissan Primera in the Spennymoor area at 2.30pm when there was a collision in Central Drive, Middlestone Moor.
Durham Constabulary confirmed a 19-year-old man, who was driving the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The street was cordoned off as forensics officers carried out an investigation into the incident, with dozens of officers lining the streets.
Police vans and cars remained there late into the evening as enquiries continued.
Crowds of residents gathered in the street and watched the investigation take place.
One person, who wished to remain nameless, said: "There were three vehicles originally. Then they all descended. The next thing, the street was blocked off."
Paramedics were called to the scene and the air ambulance was dispatched
Now the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
David Ford, who is Interim Regional Director of IOPC, said: "We understand that shortly after 2.30pm a Durham Constabulary marked police car followed a Nissan Primera. After the pursuit the vehicle crashed on Central Drive, Middlestone Moor.
“The 19 year-old man driving the Nissan was fatally injured during the incident. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends and anyone affected by this sad incident.
“We are attending the scene and the post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence."
