Boy, 17, killed as car hits tree

TRAGEDY . . . the scene of the crash in the early hours which ended in the death of a teenager

A 17-year-old boy died after the car he was driving crashed into a tree during a police pursuit early today.

The accident happened at 1.45am after the officer, who was on routine patrol in Ashton Road, Oldham, spotted a Ford Focus driving at speed without lights.

The officer followed the vehicle as it travelled towards Ashton from Oldham.

The teenage driver attempted to turn into Springwood Way, on the Oldham/Ashton border, when the vehicle crashed into a tree.

The 17-year-old was trapped inside the car, and police released him from the Ford Focus, which was smoking after the smash, and then burst into flames.

The teenager suffered a number of injuries and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Resident Danielle Etchells who lives in Springwood Way was woken when she heard sirens followed by screeching and a loud crash.

She said: “I heard small pops like windows smashing and looked out of the bedroom window. There were flames coming from under the car. There were police cars, a fire engine and an ambulance outside our house.”

The coroner has been informed.

The driver of the police car has been routinely suspended and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.