A car which crashed into a tree - killing two young women - was being followed by police, it has emerged.

Casey Hood, 18, and driver Lucy Leadbeater, 27, were in a Toyota Yaris with two men when it crashed in Nethersole Road, Womenswold on Friday.

Officers spotted the Toyota Yaris speeding near to Canterbury police station early on Friday morning.

Police in a Sprinter van went in pursuit of the car before it pulled up in a layby just off the A2 on the B2046, Adisham Road.

The police van came up alongside but the Yaris drove off. The Sprinter van then chased the car to Nethersole Road where it collided with a tree at about 3.50am.

Body worn videos from the officers and initial accounts are now being examined along with speed data from the police van.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the double fatality. There is no evidence of contact between the police van and the Yaris.

Casey, also known as Cassey, died at the scene. Lucy, meanwhile died a day later when her life support machine was switched off a day after her son's 10th birthday.

IOPC regional director for the south east Sarah Green said: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragic event in which two young women have lost their lives.

“Our family liaison managers met Cassey’s family and Lucy’s family to offer our condolences and to tell them about our role and our investigation.

“We will thoroughly and independently investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision in order to fully understand the events which unfolded on Friday morning.”

The death of Casey's heartbroken mum, Natalie, has also been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

Natalie Hood was found dead in Dover over the weekend after posting on Facebook on Saturday: "I just want my little girl back."

The IOPC says the death of a woman in Dover - understood to be Ms Hood - has also now been referred to it.