Two killed in police car chase

Two men have died following a police car chase in Woolmer Green near Stevenage.

The chase began after the car the men were in, a grey Audi A3, failed to stop for police at the Leisure Park in Stevenage early on Friday morning. Following the pursuit, the Audi collided with a lamp post on Mardley Hill in Woolmer Green at around 2.40am.

25-year-old Karl Spencer from Bedford was killed in the crash. 20-year-old Cameron Nimmo, also from Bedford, was critically injured and taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he later died. Two other passengers aged 21 and 26 were injured. They were taken to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage for treatment.

A fifth man, Michael Cush, 26, from Bedford has been arrested in connection with the collision and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop for police and driving without a licence and without insurance.

He has appeared before Hatfield Remand Court and was remanded in custody until November 13, when he will appear at St Albans Crown Court.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward. The collision is being investigated by Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit and has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.