Man dies after car overturns and bursts into flames during police chase

17 October 2019, 16:38

A man has died and two people seriously injured after a "stolen car" they were in rolled onto its roof and burst into flames during a police chase.

The vehicle was reported stolen to police at around 2.30am this morning but refused to stop for officers and took off.

Police gave chase, before the car crashed near the Taunton railway station and caught on fire.

The man was rushed to hospital, but was later declared dead.

The two injured people are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "This vehicle also failed to stop for officers who followed it.

"Shortly afterwards the vehicle crashed near to the railway station in Cheddon Road (opposite Kilkenny Court), ending up on its roof and setting fire."

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who have launched an investigation.

An hour previously officers arrested a driver of another stolen car which was being driven "erratically" on the A38, outside Wellington.

After a brief chase it stopped outside Taunton's former police station in Shuttern, and the driver was arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle.