A YOUNG man was killed when the car he was in crashed into a lamppost during a police chase this morning.

The 23-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver and another passenger sitting in the back of the car were rushed to hospital.

Cops had told the car to stop shortly before 1:25am this morning when the deadly collision happened.

Lancashire Police officers were then following the car when it crashed into a lamppost on Colne Road in Burnley.

Neither the name of the deceased or the names of the two men being treated in Royal Preston Hospital have been released.

Because the police were pursuing the car when it crashed, the lethal incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who are now conducting an investigation into what happened.

Lancashire Police issued a brief statement about the incident earlier today, but it did not give details as to why cops were trying to stop the car.

It read: "A man has died following a collision in Burnley.

"The incident happened at shortly before 1:25am this morning (Saturday, September 29th) when a car containing three men collided with a lamppost on Colne Road.

"The front seat passenger, a 23-year-old man from Burnley, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."

Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Ashton said: "Our thoughts are with the families of these men at this incredibly difficult time.

"We have specially trained officers supporting them.

"If you think you saw anything that could help with the investigation please call us on 101 quoting incident number 136 of September 29th."