The Police Complaints Authority has been brought in to investigate the death of a teenager while being pursued by a patrol car.

The youth, who has not been named, died when the car he was travelling in collided head-on with a bus.

The police pursuit started when the Vauxhall Cavalier failed to stop when officers in a patrol car tried to pull him over in the Walker area of Newcastle.

Shortly afterwards, at 6.10pm, the car collided with a single decker bus on the junction of White Street and Bath Street.

The car driver, who was in his late teens and from the Newcastle area, was killed instantly and one of his passengers fled the scene.

The third occupant of the car was arrested and was yesterday helping police with their enquiries. The driver was the only occupant of the bus and he was released from Newcastle General Hospital after treatment for shock.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "The matter has been referred to the Police Complaints Authority, who will hold a full investigation."

A Police Complaints Authority spokesman said: "The officers involved were on a routine patrol in the area.

"They tried to stop the Cavalier but the driver did not stop and shortly afterwards collided with the bus head-on.

"The matter is being dealt with by PCA member Ann Barker after it was voluntarily referred to us by Northumbria police."

Mrs Barker said: "My condolences go to the family of the young man who died. I will ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out into this tragic incident on behalf of the coroner."