Two men die during police car chase in South Tottenham

Two men have died following a police chase in north London.

The pair were killed when their Audi jumped a red light, clipped a van and hit a bridge in South Tottenham in the early hours of Friday, police said.

The car's 30-year-old driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving under the influence.

The men are aged 33 and 38 and their relatives have been told.

They died after officers on routine patrol became suspicious of the Audi, which appeared to make off at speed when it was driven past police just before 02:00 GMT, officers said.

After several minutes searching for the car, which had been travelling in the opposite direction, police spotted the vehicle several hundred yards away and sought to catch up.

"Officers gave CPR prior to the arrival of ambulances, but both were pronounced dead at the scene," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

The driver of the Audi, from Islington north London, tried to make off on foot before being arrested. He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not believed to be serious.

He has also been arrested on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The driver of the white van was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards have been informed and the Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the chase.