THIS is the shocking moment a BMW ploughs into a tree killing four men during a police chase.

The luxury car can be seen screeching along the stretch of road in Bradford when swerves and hits the tree.

14 The BMW can be seen crashing into the tree after zooming around the corner

Another car with flashing lights can then be seen arriving at the scene moments later.

Locals recounted hearing the terrifying bang when the crash unfolded. Friends Murthza Chaudhry, 22, Zeeshan 'Ziggy' Khalid, 20, and Arbaz Hussain, 21, all died in the accident.

The fourth victim has been locally named as a man called Tayyub.

An investigation has now been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into yesterday's fatal crash.

14 The luxury car just been involved in a police chase

14 Police are now investigating just what happened in the moments before the crash

14 The harrowing footage shows dust billowing into the air after the crash

14 An unmarked police car with flashing lights arrived at the scene moments later

It is understood the police chase first started after an unmarked West Yorkshire Police car spotted the car being driven "at speed".

But officers were left desperately trying to resuscitate the men after pulling them from the wreckage.

As the investigation into the crash begins, dashcam footage from the police vehicle involved will be examined.

The families of the men killed in the crash have now spoken out of their devastating loss.

14 Muthaza Choudhury Murthi has been named as one of the four men killed in the horror smash in Bradford Credit: Facebook

14 Arbaz Hussain was killed in the Bradford crash Credit: Facebook

14 Zeeshan Khalid, 21, was also killed Credit: Facebook

14 A man named locally as Tayyub was also killed Credit: Facebook

The father of 22-year-old Murthza Chaudhry, Istfar Iqbal, last night told The Mail Online: "It was his BMW – he had just bought it brand new. He has only had it about two weeks. He was just a happy little lad.

"He was so happy he had friends everywhere. He was a polite and quiet lad.

"He was my only son and I am heartbroken."

Victim Muthaza Choudhury Murthi's cousin Faisal Ali, 23, said: “He was a young lad enjoying life. He was an outgoing lad. He had just come out college, he had his life ahead of him. I’m devastated.”

14 Four men have been killed following a crash in Bradford on Thursday morning Credit: Facebook

14 Officers were seen giving CPR at the scene

14 It comes after a string of police chases across the UK ended in tragedy this week Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Horrified locals had reported hearing a "loud bang" when the crash unfolded about 5.30am.

One local said: “The impact of the crash was so loud it woke me up. It was terrible and the most traumatising thing I’ve seen.

"The car had been crushed to less than half its original size.

“The police were shouting at the men inside to see if they were alive as they tried to cut them out.

“I asked one of the officers if there were any survivors and he just said, ‘Have you seen the state of the car?’. It was horrendous and something I will never forget.

"What a waste of four young lives."

14 The men are believed to have smashed into a tree Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

14 The crash has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Miranda Biddle, IOPC regional director, said: “This is a most tragic incident and our sympathies are with the family and friends of those who have died.

“West Yorkshire Police made a mandatory referral to the IOPC and at 6.24am we declared an independent investigation. Our investigators are attending post incident procedures, have travelled to the scene and have begun gathering evidence.”

West Yorkshire Police said: “Due to the nature of the incident it has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“Police can now confirm that four males who were in a car which was involved in a road traffic collision at 5.30am on Bingley Road at the junction with Toller Lane in Bradford this morning have died.

“The road is currently closed and is likely to remain so throughout most of the day.”

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It comes after a string of police chases across the UK ended in tragedy this week.

On Sunday, 20-year-old Sarah Giles died in Birmingham after an Audi A3 being pursued by police smashed into the VW Golf she was travelling in.

Brandon Daniels, 20, has been charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

And on Tuesday, Allen Ingram, 64, died after a police chase in Denton, Manchester.