A 16-year-old boy died and two other teenagers were injured when a car plunged 40ft down a railway embankment.

The accident in Heckmondwike last night happened after police saw the vehicle being driven erratically in Tong Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford, earlier.

The Vauxhall Cavalier was being pursued by a police car after it was seen in Tong Street at 8.45pm.

The patrol car, from Odsal police station, followed the Cavalier towards Drighlington and Birkenshaw, before losing sight of it.

The Cavalier, which had four passengers, then travelled to Heckmondwike where it left the carriageway in New North Road, collided with a stone wall and went down a railway embankment. Ambulance crews were called to the scene.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said that one teenager from the Bradford area in the car suffered fatal injuries. Two other people from the car were injured and treated in hospital. A fourth person is believed to have fled the scene and was today being hunted by police, who believe he may also have suffered injuries.

Two men, a 16-year-old from Holme Wood, Bradford, and a 20-year-old from Dublin, have been arrested by police in connection with the incident and were today being questioned.

New North Road was still closed this morning as police launched an investigation into the incident.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The police officers had attempted to follow the vehicle, but it was out of sight when the accident took place.

"The deceased has been identified and relatives are being informed. We have started a thorough investigation of the incident."

Police have not released details about the dead man.

An appeal for witnesses has been issued by police and anyone with information is asked to contact Dewsbury police on 0845 6060606.

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