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Three die in police pursuit crash Three die in police pursuit crash
(20 minutes later)
Three people have been killed after their car crashed into a garden wall in a police pursuit in Greater Manchester.Three people have been killed after their car crashed into a garden wall in a police pursuit in Greater Manchester.
One other person in the Vauxhall Vectra was critically injured in the crash, which happened at about 0330 GMT on Middleton Road in Oldham town centre.One other person in the Vauxhall Vectra was critically injured in the crash, which happened at about 0330 GMT on Middleton Road in Oldham town centre.
Police on a routine patrol tried to stop the car and pursued the vehicle when the driver drove off. Police on a patrol stopped the car after it went through a red light, then pursued it when the driver drove off.
Two men and one woman died and another woman is in a critical condition in hospital. Two men and one woman died and another woman was critically injured when it went out of control and overturned.
Middleton Road, at its junctions with Broadway and Hunt Lane, has been closed for investigations into the crash.Middleton Road, at its junctions with Broadway and Hunt Lane, has been closed for investigations into the crash.
They must have been going at some speed because the rise in the road at the junction is bad enough when you're going at normal speed Matthew Tipton, witness
Paul Kelly, 40, a warehouse manager who lives near the scene, said he was woken up up by an explosion at about 0345 GMT.Paul Kelly, 40, a warehouse manager who lives near the scene, said he was woken up up by an explosion at about 0345 GMT.
To be honest, it sounded like a bomb was going off Matthew Tipton, witness
He said: "It was so loud I thought something had come into my house. I ran to the window and could see the car in flames."He said: "It was so loud I thought something had come into my house. I ran to the window and could see the car in flames."
A number of police officers remained at the scene on Sunday morning. Forensic officers also examined the overturned, burnt wreckage.A number of police officers remained at the scene on Sunday morning. Forensic officers also examined the overturned, burnt wreckage.
A recovery vehicle arrived at about 1000 GMT to remove the vehicle, which was lying on its roof.A recovery vehicle arrived at about 1000 GMT to remove the vehicle, which was lying on its roof.
Loud explosion
Matthew Tipton, 28, also lives near the crash scene and said he was woken up by police sirens, followed by a "really loud explosion".Matthew Tipton, 28, also lives near the crash scene and said he was woken up by police sirens, followed by a "really loud explosion".
"From what I heard, I think the police were possibly still on the other side of the main road when the car turned over and crashed. "To be honest, it sounded like a bomb was going off," he told the BBC.
"They must have been going at some speed because the rise in the road at the junction is bad enough when you're going at normal speed.""They must have been going at some speed because the rise in the road at the junction is bad enough when you're going at normal speed."
The pursuit was for less than two minutes and the vehicle was very determined to get away Supt Alan Greene, Greater Manchester Police
The front garden wall on an end-of-terrace house was destroyed by the crash. The walls of two neighbouring properties were also damaged.The front garden wall on an end-of-terrace house was destroyed by the crash. The walls of two neighbouring properties were also damaged.
Speaking at the scene, Supt Alan Greene said the victims appeared to be "quite young" in age and were believed to be from the local area.
Describing events leading up to the crash, the superintendent said the car had initially stopped for the patrol car but then sped off.
"The officer pursued it but the vehicle was going at a considerable speed and was getting away from the officer," said Mr Greene.
"The pursuit was for less than two minutes and the vehicle was very determined to get away.
"The police officer by the time of the impact was a considerable distance back because the vehicle had been going at such speed."
The matter has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), due to the police involvement.The matter has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), due to the police involvement.
Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch has also been made aware of the crash.Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch has also been made aware of the crash.