Second person dies in M25 crash after police pursuit

Hertfordshire Constabulary said the police pursuit was stood down prior to the collision

A second person has died after three vehicles collided with a van involved in a police pursuit, Hertfordshire Police said.

The crash on the M25 between junction 22 (London Colney) and 21A (St Albans) happened at about 04:00 GMT on Sunday.

A woman died on Sunday and on Tuesday police confirmed the death of a man.

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, police said.

The incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation over the "police actions prior" to the crash.

Hertfordshire Police said officers had been in pursuit of a van before its collision with the three other vehicles.

In a statement, the force said: "No police vehicles were involved in the collision and the pursuit had been stood down prior to the collision."

An IOPC spokesperson said previously that it was investigating the "police actions prior to a fatal road traffic collision".

"Our investigation is in the very early stages," the spokesperson said.