Manchester City's Courtney Meppen-Walter held over crash deaths Published duration 2 September 2012

image caption The crash happened on Bury New Road in Manchester on Saturday night

A Manchester City footballer has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a crash in Manchester.

A man and a woman died in the collision between a Mercedes and a Nissan Micra on Bury New Road at about 22:15 BST on Saturday.

Two teenagers in the Micra were seriously injured.

Courtney Meppen-Walter, 18, who was driving the Mercedes, has been arrested by police.

A 19-year-old man, who was driving a Volkswagen Golf, was also arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The BBC's North of England reporter Nick Ravenscroft said he understood the 19-year-old was known to Meppen-Walter and that police were investigating the way the two vehicles were being driven in the moments before the collision.

'Heartfelt condolences'

The 32-year-old male driver of the Micra and his 37-year-old female passenger died at the scene.

The two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, were in the back seat of the Micra and both received head injuries.

They remain in Salford Royal Hospital. A police spokesman said the 17-year-old's condition was "critical", while the 16-year-old's injuries were "not life-threatening".

Supt Neil Bhole said the incident was "an absolute tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have sadly died as they try and come to terms with what has happened".

"I do not want to be drawn on what has caused this collision and I would ask for people's understanding that we cannot talk about speculation or rumour, not least because it would not be fair for the families of all those involved."

He added that the force wanted "to hear from anyone who either witnessed the collision itself, or who saw a silver Mercedes and a grey Volkswagen Golf being driven on Trinity Way or Great Ducie Street before the collision to come forward".

'Devastating tragedy'

Meppen-Walter has yet to play for the Premier League champions but has represented England at Under-17 level.

A Manchester City spokeswoman said: "It is a devastating tragedy for this family and also for the Greater Manchester community at large.

"Manchester City Football Club offers its heartfelt condolences to the family and all affected by the events of yesterday evening.