ONE man was killed and another seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident yesterday.

It happened as the pair were travelling east from Chester Street to Chester Street East, Sunderland, in a Vauxhall Cavalier, at about 2.20am.

When they reached the junction with St Mark's Road, a stolen silver Saab 9000 failed to stop and crashed into the Cavalier at high speed.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang as the Cavalier was tossed into the air and came to rest on top of the Saab, causing the Cavalier's 68-year-old front-seat passenger to be thrown from the vehicle.

He and the 29-year-old driver, both Asian and from the Millfield area of Sunderland, were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, where the 68-year-old was pronounced dead and the driver treated for serious internal injuries. His condition was last night described as stable.

The occupants of the other car, a man and a woman, were seen walking away without making any attempt to help the men.

Sergeant Nigel Dance, of Northumbria Police, said the Saab was stolen from the Eden Vale area of Sunderland. The car was later spotted being driven from the scene of a burglary at nearby Westbury Street just before the crash happened.

Sgt Dance said: "A female householder disturbed a man after hearing noises downstairs.

"A lot of electrical equipment and personal belongings were taken from the house and were recovered in the stolen car."

Witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the police on 0191-454 7555, extension 66797.