Man dies chasing suspicious pair

A 65-year-old motorist collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack after chasing two men acting suspiciously outside his home on Merseyside.

The man pursued the pair with his wife in his red Nissan Micra after spotting them on Hilary Close, Prescot.

Police said the man collapsed at the wheel shortly after the men jumped over a wall near a local reservoir.

He was taken to Whiston Hospital by ambulance but pronounced dead. Police are trying to trace the two men.

Merseyside Police said the man first spotted the men outside his house at 1430 BST on Saturday, before they escaped in the direction of a local pub, The Wellington.

Natural causes

A spokesman said: "The 65-year-old occupier of the property got into his car, a red Nissan Micra, with his wife and followed the men round to the public house and continued to follow them across St Helens Road, along New Road and into Burrows Lane.

"The men are then believed to have climbed a wall into the reservoir area.

"Shortly afterwards on Burrows Lane the driver collapsed in his vehicle, which was stationary."

A post-mortem examination revealed the man, who has not been named, died from natural causes.

Witness appeal

His wife, who is in her 60s, is also believed to have been admitted to hospital.

The two men are described as white, aged in their early 20s and wearing dark clothing.

House-to-house inquires and forensic examinations were carried out after the incident but police are still appealing for information.

Anyone who saw the men acting suspiciously in the area are urged to contact Merseyside Police.

"The detectives are also appealing to the men to come forward and explain their involvement," the spokesman added.