Police Investigated By IPCC Watchdog Over Chase Crash Deaths

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has begun an investigation after a woman and a boy were killed when they were hit by a stolen car being chased by police.

Three girls remain in hospital following the incident in Penge, southeast London on Wednesday afternoon.

Witnesses described seeing the pursued car losing control before ploughing into pedestrians in Lennard Road.

A man who lives nearby said: "It was a horrific scene on a sunny afternoon in a sleepy place.

"He lost control and ploughed into a family that was walking on the pavement down Lennard Road.

"People were trying to lift a car off a little girl. The police officers that were chasing were distraught."

One witness said the boy, who was 10, was related to the woman, believed to be her 30s or 40s.

Venissa Vassell, 18, heard sirens and a car screeching as she walked from a nearby train station and immediately ran to help.

She found twin girls aged around seven trapped under the car and about 20 people lifting it up to free them.

The girls "crawled out", but another girl, aged around 11, who was later taken away by ambulance, was screaming "I can't feel my legs".

Ms Vassell said: "I did CPR on this lady. I blew in her mouth. It wasn't working."

She described how the boy who died had initially seemed fine.

But then "by the time I came back to speak to the little girl to say 'your brother is alright' he was passed out."

Police are continuing to question a 23-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and theft of a vehicle.

Scotland Yard said neither of those who died had been formally identified and that post-mortem examinations are yet to be arranged.

A spokesman said: "Inquiries into the collision continue by officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command - anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) were also informed and will investigate this incident independently."