A man and a woman in their 70s have died after the car they were in collided with a Ford Transit van that was being pursued by police.

Scotland Yard said police officers spotted a van being “driven erratically at speed” that failed to stop.

The vehicle collided with a Citroen C3 on Footscray Road in Eltham, south-east London, just after midnight on Saturday.

Paramedics were called, but the man and woman in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

The van’s driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while over the alcohol limit, driving while unfit through drugs and death by dangerous driving, the Metropolitan police said.

Officers said the incident had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A spokesman said: “Our investigators have attended the scene and launched post-incident procedures to gather the initial evidence. Our investigation will focus on the police’s actions prior to the crash.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and all those affected by this incident. We will make contact with the family at the appropriate point to explain our role.”



