Two crash victims named

The car was being followed by police at the time

Police have named the two victims of an accident in west Wales who died when the car they were in left the road while being followed by a patrol vehicle on Friday night.

Kathleen McMullen, 17, and Michael Jones, 20, were killed when their Renault hit a telegraph pole, went down a steep slope and crashed into an outbuilding.

Kathleen McMullen died in the crash

A police investigation has been launched into the crash, which occured on the A475 near Lampeter, Ceredigion.

The investigation could take up to four months.

Another young man is now in a stable condition after sustaining serious injuries in the crash - police have declined to confirm his identity.

He is set to be transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

All three persons came from the Llanybydder area.

It is not yet known who was driving the car, and neither the police nor the Police Complaints Authority could confirm the speed at which the car was travelling.

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.

Victim Michael Jones

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

"As is usual for this police force, Dyfed Powys, in a tragic incident like this, the PCA has the matter referred to it in order that a member of the authority can supervise the investigation," said Leo Pilkington, of the Police Complaints Authority.

"It seems that late last night a car was stopped or tried to be stopped by police."

"It didn't stop. Police followed it and shortly after that tragically the car left the road," said Mr Pilkington.

A post mortem is due to be carried out at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth on Sunday by a Home Office pathologist.

None of the officers involved in the crash have been suspended.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edwards expressed their condolences to the families of the two young people who died.

He also revealed police were anxious to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time.

The A475 near Lampeter has now been reopened after being closed following the crash.