Teen dies in car crash following police pursuit

The crash happened at about 02:00 GMT on Grove Lane, Handsworth

A teenager has died in a car crash, following a police pursuit in Birmingham.

The 17-year-old boy was in a vehicle which West Midlands Police said failed to stop for officers before smashing into a tree at about 02:00 GMT on Thursday on Grove Lane, Handsworth.

Four other teenagers were inside the vehicle and have been taken to hospital, with one believed to have life-threatening injuries.

West Midlands Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which said pursuing police were in an armed response vehicle, with lights and sirens activated.

The A4040 Church Lane in Handsworth is shut as police investigate the circumstances of the crash.

National Express West Midlands has diverted the 11A, 11C and 101 bus services.

Handsworth Wood councillor Gurdial Singh Atwal said although the facts of the incident remained unknown, the death of the teen was upsetting.

He said: "We don't know what exactly happened but it is fair to say it is very sad news a young person has died."

An IOPC spokesperson said the watchdog was advised by West Midlands Police that at about 02:15 GMT "officers in an armed response vehicle attempted to stop a vehicle and activated their lights and sirens, before a brief pursuit began".

They added: "After being notified by West Midlands Police we began an independent investigation and sent investigators to the collision scene."