Driver dies in cliff fall

Wreckage of the teenager's car at the base of cliff

A teenager was killed when his car fell off a 170-feet-high cliff when he failed to stop during a police pursuit.

The driver had carried on after police in the Isle of Wight had used a Stinger device to burst his tyres.

Hampshire Police say they started following the car at Totland at 2220 BST on Thursday when the driver failed to stop for officers who suspected him of traffic offences.

The 19-year-old, who was alone in the car, has not been named.

The car plunged over a cliff near a pleasure park

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said: "Police pursued the car for several minutes but then called off the pursuit after the vehicle passed through red lights at speed in a built up area.

"Shortly after 2230 BST officers deployed a Stinger deflation device.

"The car continued to travel for some miles, followed by police officers, before entering the Needles Pleasure Park and going into Battery Road.

"At this point the vehicle left the road, driving on a grass verge before going over a cliff edge.

"The reason why the car left the road is not known."

The Police Complaints Authority has taken charge of an investigation into the incident.