A 15-year-old boy has died in a car crash in South Norfolk overnight after the stolen car he was travelling in crashed into a wall when trying to escape the attentions of police.

The silver Ford Fiesta had been reported stolen in the Bradwell area two days earlier and immediately prior to the collision which took place in Caister-on-Sea, the car failed to stop for police officers who were in the area responding to reports of an aggravated burglary.

The car then hit a wall on High Street and the 15-year-old in the front passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene, with the 17-year-old male driver suffering serious injuries and the rear seat passengers - an 18-year-old male and 17-year-old female - suffering minor injuries.

All three are currently receiving treatment at James Paget Hospital in Gorleston and have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

A police spokesman said: “The incident occurred at approximately 12.10am this morning when a silver Fiesta, carrying four people, hit a wall. The front seat passenger, a 15-year-old male, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“Immediately prior to the collision, the car failed to stop for police officers who were in the area responding to reports of an aggravated burglary. It has since been established that the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Bradwell area two days earlier.“

Two fire engines from Great Yarmouth rushed to the scene to release two trapped people and assisted the ambulance and police services to make the vehicle and scene safe.

Norfolk Police has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, as is usual procedure for crashes when a police presence has been involved.