A TEENAGE driver who crashed while being pursued by police has died in hospital.

The 16-year-old was driving a white Ford Escort van which had reportedly been stolen from a car park in Sycamore Drive, Swanley.

The driver, who has not yet been officially named, lost control and was thrown from the van after it collided with a road sign in Sevenoaks Way, St Paul’s Cray, just after 1am on Wednesday, December 20.

London Fire Brigade and Met police officers attended the scene and gave first aid until London Ambulance arrived.

Sevenoaks Way was closed in both directions for 11 hours while police investigated the accident.

Both the driver and passenger were taken to Queen Mary’s hospital in Sidcup. The driver was later transferred to King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill where he died at about 7pm on December 22. The passenger has been discharged from hospital.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating the crash and Kent Police officers are investigating the theft of the stolen car.

The Directorate of Professional Standards is investigating the cause of the crash and the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been alerted as the crash happened during a police pursuit.

DID YOU KNOW THE 16-YEAR-OLD DRIVER? IF SO PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR TRIBUTES TO SWANLEYMESSENGER@THEKMGROUP.CO.UK