A TEENAGER is in 'life threatening condition' in hospital after the car he was in crashed following a police chase.

At around 5.10pm yesterday (Thursday, May 30) an officer in an unmarked car pursued another car on Broadway, Bridgwater after it failed to stop.

After being followed for approximately five minutes, the car then crashed into a tree on Spaxton Road.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "A 17-year-old boy, believed to be a front seat passenger in the silver Peugeot, sustained a serious head injury and is currently at Southmead Hospital.

"His condition is described as life threatening.

“A 15-year-old boy was initially taken to hospital for treatment before being arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

"He has since been released under investigation while further enquiries take place.

“Due to the circumstances, we have referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

Anyone who witnessed the silver Peugeot 307, registration WN51 NRE in the Bridgwater area on Thursday, or who has dashcam footage of it, is asked to call the police on 101 and give the call handler the reference 5219/120263.