Two women die after car crashes into care home during police chase

Two women have died after a car crashed into a care home

The vehicle, a blue BMW, smashed into a Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack, Sunderland at around 21.40 BST on Wednesday evening.

The BMW had been reported as missing from the Fenham area of Newcastle earlier that evening, police said.

A woman in her 90s and another woman in her 80s have died. Eight more residents were taken to hospital, all but one of whom have now been released.

Two men aged 21 have been arrested.

Police said they had been arrested earlier in connection with the crash, but have now been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter too.

“This is an extremely sad development and all of our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of everyone affected," Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said.

"We will continue to support them in any way that we can at this time.

“Our investigations remain at an early stage, and we would ask people to avoid speculation both online and in the community.”