Two people aged 22 and 23 have died after their car was hit by a BMW being pursued by police.

West Yorkshire police said four people had been arrested after the crash in Leeds on Sunday and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A force spokesperson said that at 12.44am a blue BMW 123D had failed to stop for a police vehicle in Gelderd Road, leading to a pursuit. The BMW then collided with a white Volkswagen Scirocco that was turning into Gelderd Road.

Police said the driver of the Volkswagen, a 22-year-old man from York, had been pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the same car, a 23-year-old woman from York, died in hospital a short time later. Neither has been formally named.

A 39-year-old man from Harrogate was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit for cannabis in relation to the incident. He remains in custody.

Three other occupants of the BMW, two boys aged 16 and 17 and a 16-year-old girl, were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not considered life-threatening. All three were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

West Yorkshire police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has declared an independent investigation. A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We have started an independent investigation after a fatal road traffic collision in Leeds following a pursuit involving West Yorkshire police.

“After we were notified by West Yorkshire police, we declared an independent investigation at around 2.30am and sent investigators to the scene and police post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.

“Our inquiries are at a very early stage.”

The junction where the crash took place is surrounded by several car dealerships.

Pictures shared on social media overnight appeared to show an area around a segment of Gelderd Road cordoned off, with a fire engine and several police cars and ambulance vehicles in attendance. The pictures also appeared to show a dark car a short distance away from a very badly damaged white car just outside a used car dealership on Gelderd Road.

A cordon was still in place on Sunday morning with several officers in attendance, including a few inspecting the damaged cars. Drivers were advised to avoid the area.

Police appealed for witnesses and urged anyone with information or dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage to contact officers via 101 or online, quoting reference 13260649342.