Double-death crash investigation begins

Police were following the car before it left the road

A police investigation has been launched into an accident in west Wales in which two young people died when the car they were in hit a telegraph pole.

The Renault car, which was being followed by a police patrol vehicle, left the road near Lampeter, Ceredigion on Friday night.

After hitting the pole, the vehicle went down a steep slope and hit the outbuilding of a house.

A 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the A475 at Tudor Hall near the village of Pentre Bach.

Another young man sustained serious injuries and was taken to West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.

It is believed that all three people come from the Lampeter area.

Complaints authority

A spokesman for Dyfed Powys Police said the crash happened at about 2245GMT.

"At the time of the collision the Renault car was being followed by a police patrol car," the spokesman said.

"The investigation of the incident will be overseen by the Police Complaints Authority, to whom the matter has already been referred."

Police have not revealed why they were following the vehicle, but have said the Renault accelerated away and crashed approximately a minute later.

Investigation

The road will remain closed this morning while the investigation into what caused the incident continues and the car is retrieved from the scene.

The Police Complaints Authority revealed it has sent one of its members to the scene to supervise the investigation.

"Mr Pilkington will oversee the cause of the investigation and hope to meet the families of those involved," said a PCA spokesman.

"He will make certain this tragic incident, coming so soon after the Christmas celebrations, is fully investigated on behalf of H.M. Coroner and that the families are kept informed of progress."